For Immediate Release

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Outdoor Lighting and Sign Code Discussion Scheduled For City Council Work Session Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Alamosa, CO - Over the past four years, a grassroots campaign to achieve local designation as an “International Dark Sky Reserve” prompted local governments, including the City of Alamosa, to adopt Dark Sky lighting standards. The regulations that Alamosa City Council adopted, although not as strict as what proponents of the Dark Sky Reserve effort had hoped, affect new outdoor lighting, major renovations, and signs.

International Dark Sky Places are areas and communities around the world that protect the night sky and minimize light pollution through responsible lighting policies and public education. The goal of dark sky lighting is to preserve, protect, and enhance the City's night sky through minimizing glare and obtrusive light. These regulations also help protect the natural environment and wildlife from the impacts of night lighting. Dark Sky regulations are not intended to interfere with reasonable and safe nighttime use of properties.

Since adoption of the new codes in 2024, staff have received complaints from local business owners that some elements of the new code are problematic. Specifically, Lumen restrictions (how bright the light is), Kelvin restrictions (whether the light is orange or blue light), sign lighting requirements, and whether the fixtures required by the regulations are actually available to purchase.

City Council is holding a work session on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 to discuss these issues.The work session will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall, 300 Hunt Avenue, at 6:30 p.m. There will be a 5 minute public comment period at the beginning of the work session.

The City highly encourages anyone who has an opinion or questions on this topic to attend this public meeting either in person or via Zoom using the following information: Webinar Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86442667578 or Dial-In Number: +1 719 359 4580 US | Webinar ID: 864 4266 7578.

For more information, please contact the Development Services Department at planning@alamosa.gov or (719) 589-6631.