Stephen Johnson/Highness Foto
Chosen officials in Breckenridge and Frisco answer a call from a group of passionate locals who urge the local communities to search for Darksky certification. The cities are interested in an international effort to reduce the environmental and health of human health, so that supporters.
While Breckenridge already started the process and is planning to implement new guidelines in connection with the directive in connection with the external illumination this summer, Frisco makes considerable progress in starting their own initiative after the officials have shown interest in 2024 .
At the beginning of August, Frisco's employees received confirmation. The city was entitled to take part in the application process of the Darksky International Community. In November, the city was announced that it was selected for the Colorado Dark Sky certification program via the Colorado Tourism Office, in which Breckenridge had previously participated.
The local mentor of Darkky Colorado, Mark Laurin, who was assigned to the city by the state program, led Frisco city council through what the process brings for her on January 28th. He will help to advance the city in the process in the next six months.
Laurin said an advantageous next step for Frisco was a steering committee that does the necessary footwork to prepare the city for certification. The certification is based on proven Darksky conformity, which largely includes the detour of light down and the use of certain colors and brightness to minimize the effects.
Mayor Rick him said that from the community's point of view, many residents seem to be on board, but he wondered what could be done to encourage companies and companies in a non -legal friscon to also get into compliance.
“When a municipality is certified as a Darkky community, the surroundings take note of it and want to see what they (can) contribute,” said Laurin and found it. He said it would be important to speak to organizations such as the St. Anthony Summit Hospital or the school district and give examples of how they can be compliant.
Laurin said he worked with Copper Mountain to encourage her to become a Darkky -certified place of accommodation. Copper Mountain representative confirmed that the resort did not officially submit a application or started a Darksky process, “it is something (which is a resort) and open to exploration”.
The Breckenridge officials were also certified, updated, including a revised external light policy in July on January 28 on the current efforts of the city, Darksky.
A widespread misunderstanding in Darkky practices is that all lights are switched off at night. Julia Puester, director of the city's deputy community development director, said this was not the case, and the efforts are more about using targeted light and steering the outside light down.
In July, the city will begin that people use shield operations for outside lights if they want to stop at night. There will also be mandates in connection with the maximum wattage for outdoor light bulbs. According to Puester, both residential buildings and companies in the city limits are subject to the regulations. Further details on the changes in July can be found at Breckupdate.my.canva.site/dark-sky-exterior Lightinging.
The council member Steve Gerard commented on how the city's employees were the upcoming change in the guideline by following compliance with compliance with compliance with guidelines.
“I like it (focused) so much on retrofitting and replacement. For me it is the key, ”he said, noting that it is far more cost -effective than replacing lights, and many people do not recognize this.
According to the Puester, shield inserts are more affordable than people think and the city plans to get messages about where they can be found. She said when it comes to enforcement, the city is planning an escalation fee scale for violations.
Breckenridge has already submitted her application for Darksky certification. According to Puester, the employees are now in the process of editing feedback through Darksky International. According to a personal memo presented by Frisco during the meeting of the city council, the city plans to submit its own application by 2026. Frisco has not yet introduced new regulations related to Darksky, but it probably has to be completely certified.
Human and ecological advantages
Darksky International has over 70 chapters worldwide. Summit County, including Martie Semmer, who lives in Blue River, was represented in his western Colorado chapter, and as a regional coordinator and Laurin, who acts as a mentor.
The organization has certifications for municipalities, reserves and sanctuaries, parking and accommodation spots and promotes practices that are geared towards Night Sky Conservancy and light pollution. It pushes people to restrict the amount of light, avoiding lights with glare and use lighting controls such as dimming and timing functions.
Other certified communities in Colorado are Ridgeway, Naturita and Crestone.
A pillar of the Dark Sky movement, say supporters, are the improvements that you can provide for human health. The organization underlines research on the synchronicity of the circadian rhythm of humans and the light -dark natural circle, which occurs due to the development of people. The internationally Dark Sky Association said, research shows that artificial light interferes with circadian rhythms and tampes with sleep patterns.
Apart from human effects, the Dark Sky movement also wants to educate people about the effects of artificial light on the wildlife. The organization would like to draw attention to the fact that many types are nocturnal and rely on natural light at night. It particularly affects birds that often hunt at night, and types that live in wetlands whose reproductive ability can decrease due to light pollution.