(CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo.) — A beautiful Chaffee County destination is also a prime location to enjoy the beauty of the night sky and to catch a great view of meteor showers as well. The U.S. Forest Service announced on Monday, Dec. 16 that Browns Canyon National Monument, near Salida, has been certified as the 18th International Dark Sky Place in Colorado by DarkSky International.
International Dark Sky Places consist of places known for undertaking dark-sky conservation and education efforts through the management of exterior lighting, education, and promotion of best practices to visitors and community members.
“Browns Canyon National Monument is a haven for dark skies in central Colorado, a region that continues to push for stronger protections of the precious natural resource of the night sky,” said DarkSky International Program Associate Michael Rymer. “The staff’s ingenuity in bringing the monument’s lighting into full compliance is something worthy of praise and promotion.”
Brown’s Canyon is known for its impressive wilderness, with over 22,000 acres of pristine public lands, and the scenic Arkansas River corridor, offering many recreational activities. It is also an area that is valued by Indigenous and First Nations people for its deep cultural and historical significance. The Dark Sky Park designation now recognizes the special night sky viewing opportunities.
“We’re thrilled for Browns Canyon to receive the night sky designation as it is in direct alignment with our management goal to protect the Monument’s resources,” said Pike-San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Deputy Forest Supervisor Jim Pitts.
A local advocacy group, Friends of Browns Canyon, organized the effort to seek DarkSky certification. The group hosted night sky fundraisers, concerts, and photography outings. They also conducted light meter readings and hired a contractor to assist in developing the application.
“Friends of Browns Canyon were instrumental in getting the International Dark Sky Park certification and recognition, and should really be applauded for their tireless efforts,” said Bureau of Land Management National Monument Manager for Browns Canyon Kalem Lenard.
The area is naturally suited for night sky viewing, so the work needed to meet the standards for certification was minimal.
“Because we have a lot of camping in the area, we had to retrofit some of our lighting near Browns Canyon National Monument to make sure we met certification standards,” said Tom Waters, Park Manager for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. “With a bit of ingenuity from our staff and some exceptional coordination with our local and federal partners, we have been able to provide this exciting opportunity to our community and visitors.”
Staff are currently being trained to deliver night sky programming and to educate visitors on the expanded recreation options being offered in the area.
