Representatives of the Western Slope Dark Sky Coalition are remarking on what a year its been for their organization.
“We not only survived my absence, due to treatment for bladder cancer, we increased membership; completed a long-delayed Dark Sky International requirement for the DSI Community designation for Nucla, Naturita and Norwood; participated in several community discussions of serious issues; participated in or created events; continued to work on the San Miguel County Reserve application; honored two board members with honorary membership and a gift; and began the process of actually introducing a product that will reduce light contamination, a sconce, that may provide a steady income for us and put us on the International Dark Sky map,” Dr. Bob Grossman, president of the Western Slope Dark Sky Coalition said. “We had a comfortable income due mainly to grants. … The future is so bright we gotta wear shades."
Grossman had very reduced involvement with just about everything, including the coalition, due to ongoing treatment at the CU Health Urological Cancer Center in Aurora.
“I wasn’t here most of that time, living in Arvada,” he said. “The treatment was/is successful and I’m back home.”
The coalition continued to have meetings and be involved with many issues. The board acted organically in that, as a group, solved problems that faced them, sharing responsibility.
“‘Grateful and professional' doesn’t do justice to that effort,” Grossman said.
The Towns of Norwood and Ophir — and lately Silverton — as well as, for Grossman, “a jewel in the crown,” True North Youth Organization became members. Board member Deb Stueber navigated the maze of bureaucracy that resulted in San Miguel Power Association changing the luminaires on the main streets of Norwood, Nucla and Naturita to a warmer light, 2700K, compatible with Dark Sky International (DSI) requirements. Norwood’s designation as a Dark Sky Community was threatened by non-compliance, though Naturita and Nucla had a few years left. The coalition helped the towns defray the cost of the luminaires for all three towns.
The coalition participated in opposition to a proposed solar power plant, southeast of Norwood, and the Dolores National Monument, due to light contamination concerns. And, the coalition participated in events such as the Heritage Festival in Nucla.
At a slower pace, work continued on the San Miguel County Dark Sky Reserve application. Petitions were signed, a county public lighting survey was all but completed, photographs of light threats to the “core” were taken, events were held, and the coalition was helped by mentors from DarkSky Colorado.
The coalition honored two departing board members with honorary membership and an astro-photograph by board member Dave Muller: former San Miguel County Commissioner and board advisor Kris Holstrom and board member Aaron Watson. Both rendered unwavering support, ideas and energy that were crucial to the coalition’s continued success.
“And we have done something no other Dark Sky group has ever done,” Grossman said. “I and Melisa Brady worked with Dark Sky International for a coalition-incubated project to have a locally manufactured luminaire and light cover called a “sconce,” tested by a laboratory prior to DSI designating it, as a DSI approved light fixture. We are physically involved in reducing light contamination. I designed it as a ‘necessity’ when building my Deer Mesa cabin in 2004. Noting our volunteer, low-budget operation, DSI waived a $3,000 registration fee for the approval. We are now in the process of forming a local company to hire Marken Metals and begin local marketing. This should help our local economy. It could go international. DSI wants this on the global market."
Grossman said the coalition could not have done the work without the support of its board: Deb Stueber, Dave Muller, Jaime Perce (nee’ Schultz), John Humphries, Candy Meehan, Gina Johnston, Ray Dahlstrom, Sarah Moore, advisor Art Goodtimes, and bookkeeper Terri Hunter, along with associates Melissa Brady, Kate Fedack, Naturita Public Library, Raena Wedel-Grindle and Kiki Chaney.
Anyone interested in helping as a board member or associate should contact westcoloradodarksky@gmail.com and may donate at www.westcoloradodarksky.org/donations.
