Old Snowmass becomes newest International Dark Sky Community in Colorado
Old Snowmass, Colorado
DarkSky International is proud to announce that Old Snowmass, Colorado has officially been certified as an International Dark Sky Community. This designation recognizes the community’s commitment to preserving its pristine nocturnal environment through robust lighting policies, education, and proactive conservation. Old Snowmass becomes one of a select group of communities globally to earn this distinction, joining a growing movement to protect the night sky from the encroaching effects of light pollution.
“Old Snowmass in Colorado is another great example of advocates coming together to accomplish a goal that impacts the world beyond the borders of their own community. The folks with WildSky Old Snowmass led this charge, and their pursuit of this certification involved Pitkin County, Colorado passing an exceptional lighting ordinance, furthering dark-sky conservation in this part of the state,” said Michael Rymer, DarkSky International Community Program Manager. “We hope Old Snowmass’s certification as an International Dark Sky Community opens more opportunities for other communities in and around Pitkin County to unite for dark skies.”
Old Snowmass, situated at an elevation of approximately 7,500 feet, is a rural mountain enclave defined by its prehistoric roots, ranching heritage, and expansive open spaces. This part of Colorado was once a Jurassic-era dinosaur habitat, and much later became a summer hunting ground for the Ute Tribe. In the 1880s, the area rose to prominence as a vital agricultural hub during the silver boom in nearby Aspen.
Following the “Quiet Years” of the early 20th century, Old Snowmass remained largely undeveloped, allowing its natural resources and quiet character to flourish. Today, it serves as a critical portal for world-class outdoor recreation and a sanctuary for diverse wildlife, including apex predators such as mountain lions, black bears, and a newly introduced wolf population. Vast herds of elk and mule deer migrate through the valley on a regular basis. A wide variety of birds, from raptors to songbirds, can be found in the valley’s open meadows and riparian corridors.
While Old Snowmass is celebrated for its remarkably dark skies, the region has faced increasing pressure from a post-COVID influx of residents. This growth brought a rise in residential construction and a subsequent threat of light pollution. To combat this, the Snowmass Capitol Creek Caucus, in partnership with WildSky Old Snowmass, spearheaded a rigorous initiative to safeguard the darkness.
Established in 1974, the Snowmass Capitol Creek Caucus is a non-profit neighborhood organization whose goal is to preserve the natural environment and quality of life, and foster communication and participation within Colorado’s Snowmass Creek and Capitol Creek valleys. The group worked alongside Pitkin County to successfully implement an updated, county-wide dark sky compliant lighting code, which also features a specialized code overlay specifically for Old Snowmass.
The effort to make Old Snowmass a certified Dark Sky Community was driven by local resident Martha Ferguson and the group WildSky Old Snowmass. This group of volunteers embraces the conservation of the wild dark sky at night in this spectacular corner of the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado.
The residents of Old Snowmass know the designation is not just a title, but a commitment. The community’s goal is to continue educating residents and neighboring areas on the importance of lighting that provides safety and utility without compromising the natural environment.
“Our intention is to safeguard the health of our residents and the survival of wildlife that depends on the dark of night,” stated Martha Ferguson, a representative of WildSky Old Snowmass. “This certification is a testament to our collective effort to protect the quality and beauty of our shared night sky.”
About the International Dark Sky Places Program: Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a non-regulatory, and voluntary program encouraging communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe. Old Snowmass now joins more than 255 Places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution. Learn more by visiting https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/.
About DarkSky International: The mission of DarkSky is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. Learn more at darksky.org.
Media Contacts
Martha Ferguson
[email protected]
Michael Rymer
Community Program Manager
DarkSky International
+1 (520) 347-6365
[email protected]
