Many individuals and local organizations, including Visit Estes Park, are interested in Estes becoming a certified Dark Sky Place, a designation awarded by DarkSky International to towns, cities, and public spaces that meet specific standards for preserving and protecting dark sky sites through their lighting policies and public education efforts.
Based in Tucson, Ariz., DarkSky International was founded in 1988 by astronomer David Crawford and physician Tim Hunger to combat light pollution and preserve dark skies through education and outreach to individuals, communities, and policymakers.
The dark-sky movement began in the 1950s during the Space Race, when scientists at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz., noticed that light pollution from the surrounding community was negatively affecting the accuracy of their astronomical instruments.
The observatory, established in 1894 by Percival Lowell, was strategically located in Flagstaff because of its dry, clear skies and dark, cloudless nights—ideal conditions for astronomy. Back then, Flagstaff was a small town of just 1,000 residents, with electrification still in its infancy, and artificial light was not yet a significant concern for astronomers. Today, the population is 77,000.
The observatory’s wealthy but eccentric founder was convinced that intelligent life existed on Mars, citing what he believed were irrigation canals on the planet’s surface. These canals were later understood to be optical illusions caused by atmospheric distortion and a great deal of wishful thinking.
While Lowell failed in his quest to discover life on Mars, the observatory gained international recognition in 1930 when Clyde Tombaugh, an astronomer hired by Lowell, discovered Pluto. Originally thought to be the ninth major planet in the solar system, Pluto was reclassified in 2006 as a dwarf planet. The discovery was nevertheless noteworthy and garnered major recognition for the observatory.
By 1958, scientists at Lowell were increasingly concerned about the effects of artificial outdoor lighting on their research. In collaboration with the city of Flagstaff, they developed the world’s first outdoor lighting ordinance, which banned high-intensity commercial searchlights and other intense, upward-pointing lights. This initiative marked a significant step in protecting the clarity of the night sky for astronomical observation.
Research conducted by astronomers at the Lowell Observatory played an important role in NASA’s efforts to land on the moon. Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, Buzz Aldrin, John Young, Frank Borman, Pete Conrad, Jim McDivitt, Ed White, and Tom Stafford used Lowell’s telescopes, including a 24-inch refracting telescope built by Alvan G. Clark and Sons in 1896, to study lunar mapping and geology in preparation for their missions. Lowell’s role in the nation’s space program helped to underscore the importance of preserving dark skies in the name of science.
In 1972, Flagstaff expanded its outdoor lighting ordinance to include requirements for shielded, downward-pointing lights and mandated the use of warmer-colored lights to further reduce skyglow.
That same year, Tucson implemented a similar ordinance, directing lights downward to protect the skies around the National Optical Astronomical Observatory on Kitt Peak. Pima and Coconino Counties soon followed with their own regulations. By 1986, Tucson and Pima County banned mercury vapor streetlights and required the use of low-pressure sodium lights to decrease light pollution.
As the communities of Flagstaff and Tucson grew, developers advocated for more lenient municipal and county lighting codes. Despite pressure from lobbyists hired by developers, officials in Flagstaff understood the importance of astronomy to the region. In 1989, Flagstaff imposed even stricter outdoor light restrictions to protect the night sky.
Flagstaff’s groundbreaking lighting codes became a model worldwide, leading to its designation as the first International Dark Sky Community in 2001. Today, the movement has spread globally, with more than 250 certified International DarkSky Places in 22 countries across six continents. These include communities, parks, reserves, and sanctuaries dedicated to preserving the night sky.
The next big thing in destination travel — astrotourism
While some people take vacations to lie on a beach or hike in a forest, and others visit famous museums and historical sites, astrotourism – travel centered around experiencing starry skies and celestial events, such as an eclipse or the northern lights – is fast becoming the next big thing in destination travel.
As of January 2026, Colorado boasts 20 Certified DarkSky Places. Several municipalities and open spaces are also in the process of certification, including 12 state parks, demonstrating the ongoing commitment to protecting natural nightscapes.
In 2024, Dana Paiment, senior destination development manager at Visit Estes Park, the local marketing district, completed the Dark Sky Certification Mentor Program from DarkSky Colorado and the Colorado Tourism Office, a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
According to DarkSky International, certification can boost sustainable tourism by attracting visitors interested in astronomy and nature, and in turn drive local economies. And because dark sky policies reduce energy consumption, they can reduce a community’s energy costs.
Visit Estes Park will host two Dark Sky measurement events in 2026, one on Monday, April 13, and the other on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. Click here for more details.
This is part II in a series of articles that will explore the dark sky initiative in the Estes Valley. Click here to read Part I. Additional articles in the series will review what the scientific data says about how implementing dark sky policies can enhance human and wildlife health, what is involved in becoming a certified dark sky place, the politics and controversieis about dark sky policies, the story of outdoor lighting and municipal ordinances in Estes Park, and review some popular books on the dark sky movement. The Estes Valley Voice first reported on Visit Estes Park’s interest in certification in December 2024.