Breckenridge Becomes World’s First Dark Sky Certified Ski Town

Congratulations to the City of Breckenridge who simply grew to become the phrase’s first ski city be a Licensed Darkish Sky Group by DarkSky Worldwide. Breckenridge had been looking for the designation since 2023 and took just a few years of cut back swap out avenue lamps and cut back their gentle air pollution.

“The Rocky Mountain cities of Colorado provide immense pure magnificence, particularly on the subject of the evening sky. With Breckenridge’s work as an Worldwide Darkish Sky Group, the city hopes to guard and protect the evening sky for residents and guests, now and into the long run. We at DarkSky Worldwide are excited to certify a major vacationer vacation spot that may spotlight the wonders of darkish skies to guests from all all over the world.” –Michael Rymer, DarkSky Worldwide

Now that Breckenridge has secured the certification they want to additional refine their gentle discount measures and are working with residents to have non-compliant lighting meet Darkish Sky rules.

“The certification not solely honors our long-standing dedication to environmental stewardship, however it units the City up for a extra sustainable and economically resilient future. Stargazing, schooling, and accountable tourism at the moment are a part of what makes Breckenridge shine — underneath the celebs.” -Breckenridge Mayor Kelly Owens

There are presently 59 Darkish Sky Communities the world over, with the majority situated within the U.S.

Darkish Skies Press Launch:

The City of Breckenridge sits at 9,603 toes above sea degree in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, simply west of the Continental Divide and roughly 80 miles from Denver. Surrounded by Nationwide Forest lands and the Tenmile Vary, Breckenridge provides awe-inspiring views, year-round entry to nature, and a few of the clearest alpine skies within the area. Its high-elevation surroundings helps a wealthy array of wildlife — together with bears, moose, foxes, hummingbirds, and owls — and offers alternatives for mountaineering, mountain biking, cross-country snowboarding, and stargazing instantly from trails and open area preserves. Breckenridge’s proximity to the White River Nationwide Forest and in depth path methods makes it a really perfect launching level for exploring Colorado’s alpine nightscapes.

The City of Breckenridge has lengthy centered on sustainability and environmental stewardship. The City’s evening sky conservation efforts started in 2007 with the adoption of their exterior lighting ordinance. The ordinance establishes lighting zones, requires totally shielded fixtures, and units limitations on colour temperature and brightness. The City underwent a overview of lighting rules, performed a complete lighting stock, and prioritized group schooling as the inspiration for its designation as an Worldwide Darkish Sky Group.

In 2023-2024, the City surveyed properties to find out present lighting compliance. As a part of the City-wide compliance effort, an intensive lighting informational web site was created, and workers held a various providing of public outreach occasions that are ongoing alongside compliance efforts.

Guests can get pleasure from unimpeded views of the evening sky all through Breckenridge due to its walkable, bike-friendly structure and free public transit system. A few of the finest areas for stargazing embrace the Sawmill Museum, Gold Run Nordic Heart, and the summit of Discovery Hill. Friends are inspired to discover close by trails and open areas, a lot of which offer quiet, pure settings best for nighttime reflection and skywatching. The City additionally repeatedly hosts group occasions that promote environmental stewardship and have fun its pure heritage. As a part of its on-going dedication to certification, Breckenridge will frequently monitor sky brightness and increase its Darkish Sky schooling and tourism initiatives in partnership with regional organizations.