On the Western Slope of Colorado, we still have something rare and precious - a truly dark night sky. Let's keep it that way.Β
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Light pollution is any adverse or unintended effect of artificial light at night β and it's one of the fastest-growing environmental threats on Earth. According to DarkSky International, light pollution is growing globally by about 9.6% per year. Today, roughly 80% of the world's population lives beneath light-polluted skies, and most children will never see the Milky Way with their own eyes.Β
Here on the Western Slope, we are fortunate. Our rural communities - including the certified DarkSky Communities of Nucla, Naturita, and Norwood - still enjoy some of the darkest night skies in Colorado. But that darkness is not guaranteed. It requires awareness, community commitment, and thoughtful choices.Β
"The natural night is quickly disappearing β but together, we can change that."
β DarkSky International
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The dome of reddish-orange light that glows over cities and towns, caused by light scattering upward into the atmosphere. It washes out the stars and can be visible hundreds of miles away β even impacting our national parks and wilderness areas.
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Intense, blinding light that reduces visibility and causes visual discomfort, especially for drivers at night. Overly bright fixtures that aim light in all directions β rather than downward β are major contributors.
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Light that falls where it isn't wanted or needed β like a neighbor's floodlight shining into your bedroom, or a streetlamp illuminating a field instead of a road. Good lighting design keeps light where it belongs.
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Excessive, confusing groupings of bright light sources β common in commercial areas β that create visual chaos, reduce safety, and contribute to overall sky brightness. Less is often more.
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The Western Slope's dark skies give stargazers, astronomers, and families a window to the universe. Our region has already attracted astrotourism interest - protecting the night sky supports both science and awe.
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Natural darkness is a biological necessity, not a luxury. From migratory songbirds to fireflies to pollinators, countless species depend on the rhythm of natural light and dark to survive, reproduce, and thrive.
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Dark sky tourism is a growing industry worth billions worldwide. Certified DarkSky Communities like Nucla, Naturita, and Norwood attract visitors, boost local businesses, and build a unique regional identity.
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Our bodies evolved with natural darkness. Artificial light at night disrupts sleep, suppresses melatonin, and has been linked to a range of health concerns. Protecting dark skies protects our wellbeing.
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Indigenous peoples, ranchers, and generations of rural Coloradans have navigated, celebrated, and found meaning under a full canopy of stars. That heritage is worth preserving.
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Unnecessary light is wasted energy. Smarter, more responsible lighting - aimed downward, at appropriate brightness - reduces electricity use, cuts costs, and reduces carbon emissions.
What Light Pollution Does to WildlifeΒ
Scientists have studied at least 160 species for effects from artificial light at night (ALAN). The findings are striking - nearly every living thing if affected.Β
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Billions of birds migrate at night, navigating by starlight. Artificial light disorients them, causing collisions with buildings and towers, altered migration routes, and disrupted breeding cycles. Light pollution is a leading contributor to the dramatic decline in North American bird populations.
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Moths, fireflies, beetles, and other insects are fatally drawn to artificial lights, exhausting themselves or becoming easy prey. This disrupts pollination networks and food chains that all life - including humans - depends on.
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Baby sea turtles use moonlight to find the ocean β artificial beach lights lead them astray. Fish feeding patterns, frog breeding calls, and amphibian migration are all disrupted by ALAN. Even aquatic ecosystems deep below the surface are affected.
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Deer, bats, foxes, and other mammals depend on darkness for foraging, breeding, and avoiding predators. Artificial light shifts predator-prey dynamics, reduces habitat quality, and alters the timing of seasonal behaviors.
On the Western Slope, we share our landscape with mule deer, black bears, migratory songbirds, and rare pollinators. Every responsible lighting choice we make is a vote for their survival - and ours.Β
The human body has an ancient relationship with darkness. Our circadian rhythm - the internal 24-hour clock that governs sleep, hormone release, metabolism, and immune function - is calibrated by the natural cycle of light and dark.
When artificial light floods our nights, it interferes with melatonin production. Melatonin is the hormone that signals our body that it's time to sleep and rest. Research has linked chronic light-at-night exposure to:
Disrupted sleep and chronic fatigue
Increased risk of obesity and metabolic disorders
Elevated rates of anxiety and depression
Suppressed immune function
Increased risk of certain cancers, including breast and prostate cancer
The good news: these effects are largely preventable. Choosing warmer, dimmer, downward-directed lighting β and embracing true darkness indoors at night β helps your body do what it was designed to do.
Blue-wavelength light (common in LED screens and cool-white LEDs) is the most disruptive to melatonin production. Choosing warm-white LEDs (under 3000K) and using amber or red lights at night makes a significant difference for both human health and wildlife.