The Town of Frisco has been certified as an International Dark Sky Community through DarkSky International. The International Dark Sky Community certification recognizes communities that protect dark skies through strong lighting policies, public education, community support, night sky monitoring, and long-term stewardship. Certified communities commit to reducing glare, light output, and skyglow while maintaining safe and appropriate outdoor lighting for residents, visitors, wildlife, and future generations. This effort supports Frisco’s mountain character, protects views of the night sky, reduces light pollution, and benefits wildlife, residents, and visitors.
“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.
Dark Skies, Not Dark Ground
Dark Sky initiatives and certifications are not about making towns dark. Rather, this is about responsible lighting practices that create a dark sky and not dark ground, which cannot be achieved by turning off all the lights. Instead, there are five principles for outdoor lighting that will be used to make Frisco’s skies darker:
- Useful: Use light only when and where it is needed.
- Targeted: Direct light downward and use shielding to minimize spill.
- Low Level: Use the lowest brightness necessary.
- Controlled: Utilize timers or motion sensors to reduce unnecessary lighting.
- Warm-colored: Prefer warmer color tones to limit blue light emissions.
As part of the certification, the Town has five years to update all Town-owned lighting, and 10 years to update all private lighting. The Town will work with property owners over the next 10 years to ensure that all lighting is in compliance with the updated outdoor lighting code.
Timeline
- 2025- The Town updated streetlights along Main Street and South Summit Boulevard to be Dark Sky compliant.
- March 2027- Curfews for festoon lights, seasonal lights, and business signage go into effect.
- Seasonal lights are allowed from October 15 to March 1. Any seasonal lights should be turned off or removed for the summer until October 15.
- From October 15-March 1, lights must be turned off from 10pm-7am for residential units. For businesses with operating hours during that time, lights must be turned off from one hour after closing until one hour before opening.
- Multi-colored lighting is allowed.
- By March 2031- All Town owned lights, including streetlights, must be compliant. Many streetlights are owned by Xcel Energy, and the Town will continue to work with Xcel to update these fixtures if needed.
- March 2036- All outdoor lighting on private property must be Dark Sky compliant.
Background
In 2023, local DarkSky advocates reached out to Town staff to encourage Frisco to consider pursuing an International Dark Sky Community certification through DarkSky International. In March 2024, Frisco Town Council gave staff direction to begin the process of pursuing the application. In August 2024, the Town received written confirmation of eligibility to continue in the International DarkSky Community application process.
The International Dark Sky Places Program focuses on protecting dark skies and the nighttime environment and is rooted in local advocacy. Those looking to get certified must meet a rigorous set of guidelines, which improve the night sky and environment. DarkSky certified communities must meet criteria which show dedication to preserving the night sky and that criteria includes implementation and enforcement of light policies, education programs, and support from community members. The Town of Frisco has met certification requirements by:
- Adopting updated outdoor lighting regulations that meet DarkSky International requirements, including standards for fully shielded fixtures, warm-colored lighting, lighting curfews, and limits on unnecessary light.
- Completing a Town-owned lighting inventory to identify which public fixtures are already compliant and where upgrades are needed.
- Updating key public lighting, including Main Street streetlights, with fully shielded fixtures and controls that reduce light levels later at night.
- Hosting community education events, including Frisco Elementary STEM Day, a bird migration and light pollution presentation, outreach tables at Town events, solar viewing, stargazing, and constellation programs.
- Installing new educational signs in Town parks with information about Frisco’s night sky, wildlife, cultural history, and seasonal stargazing.
- Establishing ongoing sky brightness monitoring, including quarterly measurements at locations across town and continuous monitoring near 1st and Main Street.
- Preparing a full application for certification as an International Dark Sky Community.
About DarkSky International
DarkSky International is a global nonprofit dedicated to protecting the night environment and reducing light pollution through education, advocacy, research, and responsible outdoor lighting.
More Information
The Town of Frisco now joins more than 255 places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution.
To learn more about DarkSky International and the International Dark Sky Communities certification, visit DarkSkyFrisco.com, or contact Emma Heth, Town of Frisco Community Development Planner II, at EmmaH@townoffrisco.com.