Dark Sky Code Amendment Discussion
Background
Local dark sky advocates reached out to Town staff in 2023 to encourage the Town to consider pursuing an International Dark Sky Community certification through DarkSky International, which Town Council directed staff to pursue in March 2024. One of the requirements for certification as an International Dark Sky Community is to adopt a comprehensive lighting policy that meets the minimum standards for permanent lighting. During the August 26, 2025 Town Council work session, staff presented the proposed changes to the Town Code as they relate to the International Dark Sky Community certification and feedback from community members.
Proposed Modifications to Town Code
The proposed changes to §180-6.16 (outdoor lighting) and to §180-6.19 (signs) keep some portions of the existing code, while proposing the following significant changes:
- A maximum correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3000 Kelvin (yellowed colored light).
- Clear limits on light trespass beyond property lines measured in lux; one (1) lux is approximately the illumination from a full moon on a clear night, and 100,000 lux is approximately the illumination from the sun.
- The current code requires “no direct light emission onto adjacent properties” but does not clarify how this should be measured.
- Defined curfew hours for light trespass, public lighting, seasonal lighting, festoon/bistro lighting, and illuminated signage. All properties would need to comply within 1 year of adopting the ordinance.
- Limits on total illumination allowed on a property (measured in lumens).
- Clear requirements for motion-sensor security lighting.
- Limits on luminance levels and requiring adaptive controls for signage.
- Compliance for all fixtures within 10 years of adopting the ordinance.
Other proposed code text amendments include:
- Pole lights limited to 12-20 feet in height depending on residential use, parking areas adjacent to residential use, or non-residential use.
- Exemptions for historic fixtures that are consistent with the historic character of a structure in the Historic Overlay district.
- Requirements for all publicly owned lighting, including streetlights, park lighting, and outdoor recreation/athletic field lighting.
- Exemptions for seasonal lighting (allowed for part of the year) and festoon lighting (allowed year-round for specific uses), with a curfew and other limits.
- Changes to the submittal process and requirements to comply with the proposed requirements.
Council Discussion and Direction
Does Town Council support making the minimum changes to achieve Dark Sky Community certification, or recommend including additional requirements beyond the minimum?
- Council reiterated their support for Dark Sky efforts, but throughout their conversation, they reiterated that the restrictions should be enforceable and reasonable, rather than being the strictest possible options.
Staff also sought Council feedback specifically regarding the following:
- Limits on light trespass at the property line? Council gave direction to not pursue this, as enforcement will be very challenging. Also, Town code already states that light should not bleed from adjacent properties but is not specific on measuring this light trespass.
- Prohibiting frosted glass diffusers that refract otherwise fully-shielded, downward facing light fixtures? Town Council gave direction to not pursue regulations on these types of glass fixtures.
- Imposing limits on interior lighting seen past property lines? Town Council gave direction to not pursue interior lighting restrictions.
- Requirements for seasonal and bistro/festoon lighting? Council gave the following direction regarding bistro/festoon lighting and seasonal lighting.
Bistro/festoon lighting
- Allow bistro/festoon lighting over patios, decks, pedestrian plazas, outdoor dining, and other pedestrian walkways
- Council gave direction to put a timer and shades on the bistro lights at 4th Avenue and Main Street and that Town provided parklet lights would also have shades going forward into 2026.
- 3,000 Kelvins maximum and can be any color
- Not allowed on trees or on a building’s architectural features
- Lights would need to be off from 10:00pm to 7:00am or when the business is closed
Seasonal lighting
- Only allowed October 15-March 1
- 3,000 Kelvins maximum and can be any color
- Lights would need to be off from 10:00pm to 7:00am or when the business is closed
Does the Council recommend any elements that should be added or removed?
- Council had questions about how Dark Sky regulations handle motion sensor, flood lighting. Staff indicated that the draft regulations outline that these lights would be required to have shields and shut off within five minutes of being triggered.
- Council also asked about recreational lighting, such as on the tubing and ski/snowboard hill and ballfields. Staff outlined that recreational lighting is permitted under these regulations, but there are guidelines to reduce light pollution.
- Council also had questions about commercial properties complying, and staff reiterated that everyone would need to comply within 10 years.
- Council directed staff to make revisions based on their feedback and to bring a revised draft of these code amendments to Planning Commission, before bringing it back to Council.
Three-Mile Plan Update
This plan is required annually by the State of Colorado and has not been updated by Frisco since 2019. The Three-Mile Plan is a long-range planning opportunity for municipalities to consider if they want to annex any areas, how they will provide services in any newly annexed areas, and how they will sustain adequate levels of service throughout the rest of the municipality. It ensures that the municipality will annex land only when it is consistent with pre-existing plans for the surrounding areas.
No Current Annexation Plans
The Town of Frisco has no current plans or formal requests to annex adjacent land. The adoption of the Plan is to bring the Town into compliance with State laws, as annual review of these questions is required. The purpose of the August 26, 2025 work session was to provide a brief update of the Town of Frisco’s Three-Mile Plan and for staff to receive direction from Council on what other elements the Plan should be updated in 2025.
Council Discussion and Direction
- Does the Council have specific sections of the Three-Mile Plan they want to further revise or update in 2025 in addition to the proposed revisions in the Attachment 1, Three-Mile Plan draft edits? Town Council did not have any further direction for staff regarding the 2025 plan.
- Does the Council want the Town to pursue more in-depth revisions in 2026? Town Council supported staff’s recommendation to do a more thorough review and update in 2026.
Summit County Preschool Update
Summit County Preschool’s Executive Director and their CPA presented an update to Town Council and outlined the Preschool’s stability in staffing, excellent student experience, and financial health. They also outlined that Summit County Preschool further serves the community by having 15 Head Start families.
Their CPA emphasized that he provides accounting services to other Summit County childcare facilities and that they all need grants and financial support beyond tuition to retain staff and support exceptional student experiences. The Preschool staff asked that they receive $100,000 from the Town in 2026; they received $45,000 in 2025. Council asked them if they had applied for the 2026 Frisco Community Impact Grant, and they indicated that they had applied. Council thanked them for their contribution to the community and indicated that they will review their grant request during the September 9 Town Council meeting.
Cable Franchise Agreement with Comcast
Staff presented a new 10-year franchise agreement with Comcast, as the previous agreement expired in June 2024. The proposed agreement incorporates updated regulatory, fiscal, and community service provisions that were negotiated by Town staff and legal counsel. The agreement maintains the Town’s regulatory authority, improves revenue tracking, secures ongoing Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) support, and reflects updated legal and market conditions in a way that meets the Town’s needs.
Council Decision
Town Council approved Ordinance 25-17 on the second reading.
Frisco Town Council Meetings: Ways to Participate
Frisco Town Council meetings are available to view via Zoom and YouTube, and are also held in person to make Town Council meetings easier to access for everyone.
The public can provide comment during meetings via Zoom or in person (not YouTube), and a public comment period will be available at 7:00pm; during the consideration of ordinances; and at the discretion of Town Council during work session items, which are discussions that don’t require a formal vote by Town Council and do not require public comment. Again, this hybrid approach is intended to make Town Council meetings more accessible, and meeting recordings will typically also be made available the day after a meeting in the meeting archive with agenda topics bookmarked to the discussions in the video.