See the cosmos clearly in DarkSky-designated communities.
Paonia
The small farming and arts town on Colorado’s Western Slope already had naturally clear desert nights ideal for stargazing, but with its recent commitment to DarkSky best practices, the constellations are now closer than ever. Under skies this vivid, it’s easy to see why art flourishes. To deepen your appreciation of the night sky, consider attending the local Black Canyon Astronomical Society’s free monthly meetings, where the public is invited to learn about the science, literature, philosophy, and the art of astronomy. Even a little background knowledge can transform a casual glance into a guided tour of the cosmos. Visit Paonia for this DarkSky hotspot.
Breckenridge
This historic mining town turned mountain adventure hub is embracing the starlit nights of its past by dimming its exterior lights to meet new guidelines, adding shields to light fixtures that direct their output downward, and using warm-toned bulbs that contribute less to skyglow. Now the stars shine brighter in Breckenridge, earning them recognition from DarkSky International. Experience the heavens as they were meant to be seen with TenMile Station’s Twilight Tour & Dinner, where guests ski or snowshoe to a heated cabin for a buffet dinner before descending with a guided tour under the night sky. Visit Breckenridge for mountain town stargazing.
Browns Canyon National Monument
A hundred miles from the nearest major city, at elevations between 7,300 and 10,000 feet, Browns Canyon sits in a dry, clear-sky climate—making it one of the state’s prime stargazing spots. Summer brings a full calendar of events hosted by Friends of Browns Canyon, but winter viewings are reserved for the hardy. With campsites largely to yourself, and darkness stretching in every direction, the night sky dominates the conversation. It’s the kind of quiet that makes every constellation feel chatty. Orion’s Belt lights the heavens, flanked by his loyal hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor. Stargaze this winter at Browns Canyon National Monument.
Discover more to do near these stargazing hotspots in the print issue of Denver Life Magazine, available at local newsstands, or subscribe to the digital version.
