DO YOU LIKE OUR DARK NIGHT SKY WITH BRIGHT STARS?

DO YOU LIKE THE RURAL CHARACTER OF OUR VALLEY?

WHAT IF MOST NEW HOMES BUILT ON OUR 7000 EMPTY
PARCELS HAVE A BRIGHT NEW YARD LIGHT OR TWO?

Good lighting at night benefits everyone. It provides us with better visibility for nighttime chores and a sense of security. Most of us wantsome outdoor lighting, so what do we do?

The answer is relatively simple...
It's the same principle as putting a lamp shade over a bare bulb. We're asking the folks who put up new lights to use lights with a hood or shield that will direct the light down to the ground where it is needed and not up into the sky or across the Valley at their neighbors. Over eighty-six counties and towns across the country have effectively dealt with the issues of good lighting and their efforts and ordinances can serve as models.

OK, so what can you do?

• Go to the bottom of this page and sign a letter of support
• Put a hood on your own light. Hoods are available at the local hardware store; or, if your light is owned by the electric company, call and ask the electric company to hood your light.
• Get more information by attending a "Dark Skies" meeting which are announced monthly in the Wet Mountain Tribune, check the Calander page on this website, or call 783-2935.
  

Good lighting...

Directs light down and to the sides on the ground where needed by being "fully-shielded" or "hooded" so that no light is emitted above the horizontal. This puts useful light on the ground and prevents wasted upward light which causes giare and sky glow. This preserves the beauty of the stars in the night sky.

  
  Typical yard light with Hubbell "Skycap"

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I/WE SUPPORT A ZONING RESOLUTION FOR CUSTER COUNTY, COLORADO
THAT WOULD REQUIRE NEW OR REPLACED OUTDOOR DUSK TO DAWN
DUSK "SECURITY" LIGHTS TO BE FULLY-SHIELDED

This resolution would not apply to existing security lights, lights on a switch or a motion
detector, temporary lighting, and lights for holiday decorations or sports events:

Print Name(s) _______________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip _______________________________________________________________

Please check all that apply:
Registered Voter Custer County___ , Full-time Resident ___, Part-time Resident ___, Visitor ___

Property Owner ___
Location: Westcliffe __, Silver Cliff __, Wetmore __,
Subdivision Name ____________________, Other ____________________

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Mail to:

      P.O. Box 634, Westcliffe, CO 81252  

For more information:  Smokey Jack 783-2935; Sam Frostman 783-0252; or Tom Larkin 783-9271