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Colorado, USA Declares June Dark Sky Month

The Milky Way over San Juans Mountains in Colorado to celebrate Dark Sky Month

Denver, Colorado, USA – Jared Polis, the Governor of Colorado, USA, has signed a proclamation declaring the month of June 2021 as “Dark Sky Month .” This success results from this year’s effort, led by IDA Colorado’s Chair of Public Policy Task Force, Martie Semmer, from Blue River, Colorado. 

“With the State’s ever-growing population, the commitment to protecting and preserving our natural nights and landscapes from excessive light pollution and trespass is as important now as ever. A special thanks to Governor Polis and his staff for their efforts in helping to protect Colorado’s legacy for future generations,” said Ryan Parker, Chair of the International Dark-sky Association Colorado chapter.

The news comes on the heels of several recent International Dark Sky Place designations in the state of Colorado, including Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, the towns of Nucla and Naturita, the town of Crestone, and Mesa Verde National Park.

“Dark skies in the Rocky Mountains are a Colorado treasure and a key attraction for our tourism industry. I’m grateful to the International Dark-sky Association Colorado chapter and Gov. Polis for prioritizing this natural resource and reminding all of us to reduce light pollution for the public’s health and well-being, as well as for our state’s wildlife and natural environment,” said Julie McCluskie, Colorado State Representative for House District 61.

“We appreciate the International Dark-sky Association Colorado chapter and Audubon Rockies for their important advocacy to reduce the impacts of spill light, preserve our unparalleled Colorado night-time skies, and educate on the ecological benefits of dark skies,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “June is an appropriate month to celebrate and bring awareness to the importance of dark skies as more Coloradans venture outdoors with the warming weather and are awed by the brightness of the milky way and celestial planets.”

For more information, please contact Ryan Parker, Chair of the International Dark-sky Association Colorado chapter, at [email protected].