International Dark Skies Community Designation Sought for Westcliffe, Silver Cliff

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The towns of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff may soon earn international recognition for their nighttime skies. KRCC's Dana Cronin reports. 

The "community" designation comes from the International Dark Skies Association and recognizes dedication to night sky preservation.

Jim Bradburn is the President of Westcliffe’s Dark Skies community. He says part of the application process means showing a reduction of man-made light.

“We think of it as we have both the landscape during the day and the nightscape during the night," says Bradburn. "And it’s one of the few places in Colorado that’s as close as we are to big metropolitan areas where you can see the Milky Way distinctly, I mean just beautifully."

Bradburn says the international designation along with a planned observatory would help stimulate the tourism economy of the area. He says he hopes the designation comes through by the end of the month.