Re: Estes Park Dark Sky Measurement Event April 13, 2026

[Jody Shadduck-McNally]

Hey Dana!

It was great to see you this weekend- well done.

Thanks for all of the  outreach. Excited for this work.

First - can I share this as a lone commissioner’s Earth Day activity to engage in?

Second, I see that the workshop is advertised and I was wondering if we could list Larimer County, me and the Mayor as partners since we planned for our staff to come? And Mayor Hall and I are planning our town hall beforehand from 11:30 am to 12:30 am.

Maybe I don’t understand how we were advertising this workshop. Thanks in advance for any insights you can provide.

Warm Regards,

Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally 

Chair, Larimer BOCC

On Mar 31, 2026, at 10:29 AM, Dana Paiement <da...@visitestespark.com> wrote:



Hi Dark Sky Enthusiasts!

Thank you for signing up for the Dark Sky Measurement Event! Your participation means a lot to us, and we appreciate your help in gathering this essential data. Please review the details below for the upcoming event. 

Date & Time: Monday, April 13 at 8:30 p.m., with a backup scheduled for Tuesday, April 14 at 8:30 p.m.

Meeting: Please meet at the Estes Park Observatory. The address is 1600 Manford Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517. We will give a brief introduction and training on how to use the equipment.

Weather: We’ll monitor the forecast and email confirmation or cancellation by April 12 at 3 p.m. Please check for that update.

Equipment: Sky Quality Meters and data sheets will be distributed at the event and must be returned to the Visit Estes Park office (1692 Big Thompson Avenue) by Friday, April 17, 2026. The office is open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; if the office is locked, please leave items at the lobby door.

Locations: This document lists the measurement locations; specific assignments will be made during the event. SQM Sites Here.

Instructions: Here's a copy of the instructions. We'll also share this on the day of, but just in case you want to get familiar with it beforehand. Instructions.

Please let me know if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you soon!

[Dana Paiement]

Hi Commissioner Shadduck-McNally!

Thank you for coming last weekend! It's such a fun event! 

Yes, I think it's fine to share this as a lone commissioner’s Earth Day activity to engage in.

What do you think of the updated description? 

Dark Sky Workshop

Join us for a Dark Sky Workshop featuring a public overview of dark sky efforts, the proposed certification, and insights from local elected officials who will introduce the initiative and engage in the discussion. The workshop will be held in partnership with Larimer County Commissioner Shadduck- McNally and Town of Estes Park Mayor Hall.

The program will be followed by a technical working session for Town and County staff focused on lighting standards, ordinance implementation, and application review. Michael Rymer, Communities Program Manager from DarkSky International, will lead the technical portion, and a brief overview of the tourism benefits of preserving dark skies will also be shared.

The goal is to build community awareness while providing practical guidance as we move forward with dark sky initiatives.

Come celebrate Earth Day and learn how we can work together to protect our night skies!

Once you approve, would you like me to send an updated Eventbrite link that you can share with your staff?  

Thank you!

[Jody Shadduck-McNally - Larimer Commissioner]

Yes, that would be helpful. 

Do you have time to create a graphic for us to share? Sarah, would that work for you?

Mayor Hall, does this work for you?

Lesli, work for you?

Thanks

	Jody Shadduck-McNally Larimer County Commissioner, District 3
	Commissioner's Office 200 W Oak St, Fort Collins, 80521 | 2nd Floor W: (970) 498-7003| M: (970) 939-0558 jshadduc...@larimer.orgl | www.larimer.org

[Sarah Leonard]

Hi there,

Yes, we can ask our team member Margolee to create an e-invite / graphic to help spread the word, once everyone approves. Best, Sarah

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[Jody Shadduck-McNally - Larimer Commissioner]

Amazing ! Thank you so much.

I know Gary cannot respond until later tonight and I will see Lesli in about two hours so I can get her feedback.

The Mayor and I have our townhall before the workshop at the same location from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm and we can take care of advertising that hour.

Please see attached photo. And a gentle reminder to send me your younger selves. Thanks.

[Lesli Ellis]

Hi all - That workshop messaging looks great!  I may have missed it, but I don't see the time and location specifics for each segment. We appreciate your work on this, Dana!  Thank you! - Lesli 

	Lesli K. Ellis, AICP CEP Director
	Community Planning, Infrastructure, and Resources  200 W Oak St, Fort Collins, CO 80521  Phone:  (970) 498-5741 ellislk@co.larimer.co.us | www.larimer.gov

[Jody Shadduck-McNally - Larimer Commissioner]

Thank you Lesli!

I believe the Mayor will be okay with this as well. I think he won't be available to answer until after 6 pm.

Thanks again Dana and Sarah for all of your efforts and help.

[Gary Hall]

The description all seems fine, and yes, April 22, so -- Commissioner, you are leading (with me assisting and supporting) the 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM. Remind me where we set the location of this event -- is that community center or .....? I'll want to make sure I know what my prep or any other pre actions I need to take make sure that my part (with you) is on-target. Thanks!

Gary M. Hall

Mayor of the Town of Estes Park

Cell 970-744-9052

Email: gh...@estes.org

The Town of Estes Park is committed to providing accessible information and services. If you need any accommodations to view or interact with this email, please reply with your request or contact me at the phone number listed above.

[Jody Shadduck-McNally - Larimer Commissioner]

Just saw this---awesome- would be very helpful.

Thanks

	Jody Shadduck-McNally Larimer County Commissioner, District 3
	Commissioner's Office 200 W Oak St, Fort Collins, 80521 | 2nd Floor W: (970) 498-7003| M: (970) 939-0558 jshadduc...@larimer.orgl | www.larimer.org

On Tue, Mar 31, 2026 at 3:42 PM Sarah Leonard <sa...@visitestespark.com> wrote:

[Jody Shadduck-McNally - Larimer Commissioner]

Dear Mayor Hall,

Thanks for the email. When we met last week, you said we could have our joint conversation together at the observatory space and that you would call them to set up. If we need another space we can discuss that as well. We can lead together. My hope is that community members and other partners will come at that time over the lunch hour to learn more from our perspectives.

I have copied our perspective county manager and town administrator to help resolve confusion and bring clarity to our endeavors.

First, again huge kudos to Dana and Sarah for their efforts so far. 

Second, it was my understanding ( which with all the various wildfire etc matters I am juggling could be missing some details) that the 1-3 pm workshop time was more technical and geared towards staff asssociated with the areas related to dark skies codes etc and also for us as policy leaders to help deepen all of our understanding with the subject matter experts. Certainly, it is open, but maybe not fully appropriate for community members to try to learn the technical land use items etc.

However, I hope that our community time beforehand will help answer any questions and share the "why" of this initiative. 

We both can "host" the two time slots and open with brief welcomes. I think VEP (Dana & Sarah) share their work and their "why" - showcase the coalition of partners workiing together along with opportunities.

Please feel free ( I welcome feedback) to clarify or share your understanding for the workshop and times. I will be able to tackle a graphic for our joint community conversation at the 11:30 am time---  Thank you Sarah and VEP for offering to make the graphics and for sending the event link - one for staff to sign up and one for the community.  Perhaps we can then update everyone on any progress.  I will bring some water and treats for staff - unless there are hundreds of people coming.....

Dana, maybe we can change this language you created to ?:

Join us for a Dark Sky Initiative endeavor (>?) featuring a public overview of dark sky efforts, the proposed certification, and insights from local elected officials who will introduce the initiative and engage in the discussion. The community event, held in partnership with Larimer County Commissioner Shadduck- McNally and Town of Estes Park Mayor Hall, will run from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.

This portion looks great to me Dana (great work):

The program will be followed by a technical working session for Town and County staff focused on lighting standards, ordinance implementation, and application review. Michael Rymer, Communities Program Manager from DarkSky International, will lead the technical portion, and a brief overview of the tourism benefits of preserving dark skies will also be shared.

The goal is to build community awareness while providing practical guidance as we move forward with dark sky initiatives.

Come celebrate Earth Day and learn how we can work together to protect our night skies!

Thoughts?

Thank you all again for your partnership and help with this effort. Dana, you got us going and I hope we can continue to partner together going forward, 

Have a good evening.

Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally

Chair, Larimer County BOCC

[Gary Hall]

Ah, yes, too many irons in the fire and extraneous factors. Yes, I’ll get hold of them tomorrow. That clarifies and reminds me. That first part is ours, community. The rest, yes, others will drive that content and interaction. Got it now.

Gary M. Hall

Mayor of the Town of Estes Park

Cell 970-744-9052

Email: gh...@estes.org

[Jody Shadduck-McNally - Larimer Commissioner]

Dana, Sarah, Lesli?

Everyone okay with the clarification?

Thank you all!  Tremendously grateful and thankful Commissioner here.

[Lesli Ellis]

Good morning! Thank you for clarifying the two sessions and times.  That's helpful!  I will share this information with our staff.  

	Lesli K. Ellis, AICP CEP Director
	Community Planning, Infrastructure, and Resources  200 W Oak St, Fort Collins, CO 80521  Phone:  (970) 498-5741 ellislk@co.larimer.co.us | www.larimer.gov

[Sarah Leonard]

Hi all, 

Dana and I are confirming everything is good here! Thanks for the clarification, Commissioner. 

We will update the timing on an e-invite (graphic) and share with this group first. Then we can send out again to our partner list. This will be available too for you to share with Town and County staff.

Thanks all ~ Sarah

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