Frisco, Colorado, earns International Dark Sky Community certification

Frisco, Colorado

The Town of Frisco, Colorado, has been certified as an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International. This designation reflects Frisco’s commitment to preserving its mountain character, protecting views of the night sky, reducing light pollution, and benefiting wildlife, residents, and visitors alike. As an International Dark Sky Community, Frisco enhances its natural beauty by showcasing brilliant star-filled skies and the silhouette of the surrounding mountain ridgelines.

DarkSky International’s Community Program Manager, Michael Rymer, knows how valuable Frisco’s certification is to an ever-growing list in the state of Colorado and Summit County. “Frisco and other communities in Summit County are showing how community commitment to responsible outdoor lighting policies and practices can be instrumental in reducing light pollution and maintaining the exceptional natural character in and around these towns. We are proud to welcome Frisco into the ranks of certified International Dark Sky Communities, and celebrate their outstanding efforts that will carry on for years to come.”

Located in the heart of Summit County just an hour west of Denver, Frisco is a charming mountain town with rich historical roots. The Ute people were the original inhabitants of Frisco, living in the area for thousands of years. Later, Frisco was inhabited by trappers and then miners who founded the town along Tenmile Creek during the 1879 silver boom. Frisco has since evolved into the epicenter of Summit County recreation and commerce. Spanning just under two square miles, this picturesque community is nestled between the Tenmile Range and the shores of Dillon Reservoir.

Affectionately known as the “Main Street of the Rockies,” Frisco offers seamless access to six world-class ski resorts, 55-miles of paved multi-use recreational pathways, and vibrant downtown attractions and amenities. Visitors and locals alike enjoy endless outdoor pursuits, from skiing, hiking, and biking to sailing and camping, along with premier destinations like the Frisco Adventure Park, Frisco Nordic Center, Frisco Historic Park & Museum, and Frisco Bay Marina. 

With the goal of achieving official International Dark Sky Community certification since 2024, at the direction of Frisco Town Council, the Town of Frisco has completed several key milestones. The Town adopted updated outdoor lighting regulations aligned with DarkSky International standards, mandating fully shielded fixtures, warm color temperatures, lighting curfews, and limits on excess light, and conducted an inventory of all Town-owned fixtures to guide necessary upgrades. Major public lighting, including Main Street streetlights, have already been updated with fully shielded, dimmable fixtures.

Additionally, the Town established continuous sky brightness monitoring on Main Street alongside quarterly town-wide measurements, installed educational night-sky signage in local parks, and hosted a wide range of public outreach programs. Community events included a STEM day at Frisco Elementary, a presentation on bird migration and light pollution, solar viewings, stargazing and constellation programs, and informational tables at local Town events.

“Achieving International Dark Sky Community certification is an important step in protecting Frisco’s natural environment and preserving the magic of a night sky in the mountains. We look forward to continuing our work with community members and businesses to further reduce light pollution and ensure future generations can experience the beauty of a darker sky and stargazing,” stated Frisco Mayor Rick Ihnken. 

Frisco will continue public education, lighting improvements, and night sky monitoring as part of its long-term commitment to protecting dark skies. Annual events will take place through the Frisco Historic Park & Museum, along with all Town-owned light fixtures coming into compliance with updated outdoor lighting code within five years. Two additional signs will be installed in Frisco parks showcasing Frisco’s night sky and certification status. The Town will work with private property owners to bring all privately-owned lighting into compliance by March 2036.

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. Frisco, Colorado now joins more than 270 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

Emma Heth
Planner II
(970) 668-4581
[email protected]

Nico Cruz
Sustainability Coordinator
(970) 668-4578
[email protected]