Colorado has a new International Dark Sky Park.

That’s an exclusive, metrics-driven designation by DarkSky International, the organization raising awareness around light pollution and adding protections and inspiring tourism to certain parts of the world.

Now that includes Browns Canyon National Monument.

Popular for whitewater rafting and camping, the Arkansas River-cut canyon encompasses nearly 22,000 acres across Chaffee County.

“As an International Dark Sky Park, its special night sky viewing opportunities are now recognized,” a news release Monday said.

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Browns Canyon becomes the 12th Dark Sky Park to be recognized in Colorado, joining the likes of Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison national parks and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Colorado is also home to several Dark Sky Communities, including Westcliffe and Crestone.

Nonprofit Friends of Browns Canyon is largely to thank for the latest designation. Advocates have hosted stargazing events and conducted light meter readings necessary for Dark Sky status. The group hired a contractor to help prepare an application to DarkSky International, the news release noted.

The friends group “should really be applauded for their tireless efforts,” said Kalem Lenard with the local Bureau of Land Management office — one agency overseeing the canyon. The U.S. Forest Service also shares in stewarding the monument.

Coming with requirements for education and light mitigation, the designation “is in direct alignment with our management goal to protect the monument’s resources,” said Jim Pitts, deputy forest supervisor.

Lenard added: “All of the managing partners are really excited to celebrate the dark sky resource, further recognizing Browns Canyon as a special place in the heart of Colorado.”

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The designation comes a couple of years after Gov. Jared Polis signed into law House Bill 22-1382, which aimed to promote dark skies.

The bill considered dark skies “inherent to the character and allure of the state” and called light pollution a “growing problem” that was “linked to negative effects on the health and well-being of people, plants and animals.” Further, the bill praised dark sky tourism for “combine(ing) elements of astro tourism, cultural heritage tourism, nature and wildlife tourism, and health and wellness tourism.”

In Monday’s announcement, DarkSky International’s Michael Rymer called Browns Canyon “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.”

He continued: “Browns Canyon’s example will no doubt be a substantial one in influencing communities surrounding the national monument and beyond to practice responsible outdoor lighting to better impact the night-time environment of the site.”

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