Mar. It’s also one of the best stargazing spots in Colorado for most urban residents who may not be up for a long drive or weekend trip to see the stars. This shouldn’t be considered a wholly comprehensive list of all places for stargazing in Colorado nor a list of the absolute darkest areas. You can learn about their culture and heritage as well as the modern understanding of the night sky at one of several night sky and full moon programs offered at Chimney Rock each month. Leave No Trace Trailhead Table. Whether you’re out among red rocks, blue alpine slopes, dusty dunes, or green grasslands, it’ll all look amazing once the sun goes down. Broadly speaking, the more you spend the better the telescope, but if you’re just starting out, these telescopes can be a good place to begin. A housing development in southeast Fort Collins has a very unique amenity to offer: the Stargazer Observatory, an astronomy laboratory operated by Front Range Community College (FRCC). Most people drive Loveland Pass on their way to the famous resorts in the area… But did you know it’s also a great stargazing spot? The long, tall lake provides an excellent barrier against nearby light pollution, and open spaces to admire the sky. Although students of FRCC most commonly use the observatory, it is also available to the public astronomer, whether pro or novice. Please note: our offices will be closed on Monday in observance of the holiday. Please note: our offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving. They have worked hard to protect them through light pollution-reducing fixtures and design. DENVER (October 25, 2012) – With fall in full swing in Colorado and leaf-peeping season nearing its end, visitors to Colorado begin to train their eyes skyward, when winter constellations come into view. Seats are limited, reserve yours today! For the community, Stargazer Observatory typically hosts monthly open houses, or community nights, on the third Saturday of every month. They’re known to fill up in the summer months – so plan ahead if you’re doing an overnight stargazing trip here. Stargazer Observatory is located at 3733 Galileo Drive in Fort Collins. He is approx 55 lbs and is mostly white with a brown head. Hey people of Fort Collins, I was wondering if anyone had a good place to stargaze near Fort Collins, ideally within about an hour drive of the city. Stargazer Observatory is the result of a partnership between FRCC and Village Homes in order to provide students a place to study astronomy. In accordance with local health department recommendations, we continue to follow COVID-19 precautions. Copyright © 2021 All Property Services, Inc. Higher elevations mean less atmosphere between you and the stars, and open spaces mean more sky for you to look at. There, you’ll learn about the mind-bogglingly long history of our planet – and the creatures who walked before us on it. Ride the trolley. The observatory is at Harmony Road and Shields Street in Fort Collins. Speaker: Greg Hale talks about the OzSky Star Party and Southern Hemisphere stargazing.Jan. The 4,883 sq. Horsetooth Reservoir. Please note if you are not moving in theÂ, The Sky 6 Software containing a database of over 30 million pieces of information, Additional FRCC telescopes that may be set up on the viewing balcony. Sat 8:30 AM Online. You've also got a straight shot down I-25 to Denver for big-city fun. From ancient fossils to ancient starlight, there’s nothing quite so humbling as a visit to Dinosaur National Monument. Another of Colorado’s many natural wonderlands, Chimney Rock was once home to the Puebloan people. We couldn’t find any formal stargazing or astronomy events at Pawnee National Grassland. Colorado is known for mountains and plains… But did you know there’s a sweeping grassland in the northeast part of the state? With more than 300 days of clear skies and an altitude of more than 5,300 feet above sea level, Boulder is a stargazing paradise. Let us know in the comments! 0 comments. In 2020, the Black Canyon Astronomy Festival will be September 16-19. Follow in the footsteps of the ancient peoples of the prairie (evidence … This makes it among the youngest in the country and underscoring how fantastic the quality of night skies are here. As the first internationally recognized dark sky community in Colorado, 9th in the world, and the highest anywhere, Westcliffe and the adjoining town of Silver Cliff are the darkest towns in Colorado, perfect for stargazing. In order to protect our staff, tenants, homeowners, vendors & subcontractors we remainÂ, You may schedule showings in person (with precautions) or ask for a virtual tour. Only vacant properties are available for showings. You may apply for a property with security deposit after viewing. These properties are available for move-in as soon as applications are approved. Everyone knows Red Rocks is great for concerts, but the big open space is also good for stargazing on nights when there are no shows happening. Featured photo credit: Bryce Bradford via Flickr. Homeowners and renters of a residence within Observatory Village have the unique privilege of reserving the Stargazer Observatory Clubhouse for special occasions. Please note: our offices will be closed on July 4th in observance of the holiday. Rent/Dues may be dropped off in either the dropbox or the mail slot. We check both frequently. You can then follow up with one of the astronomy programs offered by the National Park Service. Watch here live on Wednesday, October 14th at 5:00pm: The meteor shower will peak tonight and early tomorrow morning and, according to NASA, If you stop near the apex of Loveland Pass (nearly 12,000ft in elevation), you can get an amazing view of the stars, away from the blazing lights on nearby slopes and with far less interference from the earth’s atmosphere. Thanks in advance guys! You are joining the waiting list for: Pinot's Palette - Fort Collins Address: 159 W. Mountain Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524 Painting: Star Gazing Time: Thu Jul 09, 2015 7:00-9:00PM Red Mountain Open Space is located 25 miles north of Fort Collins, along the Colorado-Wyoming border. Those along the Northern Hemisphere are in for a dazzling display because this week, nature’s annual Perseid meteor shower will be giving stargazers a one-of-a-kind light show with up to 100 shooting stars illuminating the sky every hour. 13. A post shared by Jesse R. Borrell (@jesse_borrell_visuals) on Jun 6, 2017 at 11:14am PDT. Arguably one of the most fascinating natural wonders in Colorado – and there are many so that’s quite a debate – Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a weird and wonderful sight by day. Take a guided interactive tour to identify stars, planets, constellations, and more in the skies over Fort Collins! Stargazing. Even if you don’t have an ‘I Want to Believe’ poster hanging at home (The X-Files, anyone? ... 11:00 p.m. "Red Mountain Stargazing" Join members of the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society (NCAS) for an up-close look at the night sky over the Rockies. Sky watchers also will be looking at the Andromeda Galaxy, … Pawnee National Grassland is part of the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests and is one of the best stargazing spots in Colorado! High in the mountains near Estes Park, the night sky above Rocky Mountain National Park comes alive with seemingly infinite stars. Black Canyon of the Gunnison was certified as a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association in 2015. share. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, A post shared by Garden of the Gods Colorado (@gardenofthegodscolorado), A post shared by Jesse R. Borrell (@jesse_borrell_visuals), A post shared by Zach Price (@zachpricephoto). A post shared by Garden of the Gods Colorado (@gardenofthegodscolorado) on Mar 8, 2016 at 10:30pm PST. Be sure to check the website for any stargazing events happening at the Split Mountain Campground location before planning your trip. Stargazers are not able to see much when itâs completely overcast. During the day, you can learn about the history of this region – from Native Americans who lived in the area and give the grassland its name to White pioneers who tried to tame this corner of the Wild West. Colorado, of course! Eight Great Places for Stargazing in Colorado. As a general rule, stargazing is better West of the Continental Divide or South of Colorado Springs, far from the lights of the Front Range cities. The long, tall lake provides an excellent barrier against nearby light pollution, and open spaces to admire the sky. It is specifically operated by the Astronomy Department of FRCCâs Larimer Campus, as is the Sunlight Peak Observatory found on campus. As featured in our Denver city stargazing guide, Garden of the Gods is one of the best stargazing spots in Colorado which is also easily accessed from major urban areas like Denver and Colorado Springs. The park has five campgrounds to choose from. 16. You can find the observatoryâs dome right next to the community swimming pool. Like Dinosaur National Monument, Great Sand Dunes was certified as a Dark Sky Park in 2019. The Stargazer Observatory features state-of-the-art equipment and software and provides incredible astronomical viewing. While Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park doesn’t have the same name recognition as some of Colorado’s other national parks and preserves, it is one of the state’s great stargazing spots. Close • Posted by 5 minutes ago. With its dark … A private observatory on Coyote Rim Ranch west of Fort Collins. For more information about community nights, hours, or answers to general questions, contact the Director of Stargazer Observatory, Andy Caldwell or Dave Zamzow through the information page on the Stargazer Observatory website. Paint Mines Interpretive Park. 3165 Stargazer Ct , Fort Collins, CO 80521-1277 is currently not for sale. Since then, the park has continued to develop astronomy programming for the public. She decided to start the site after realizing how many friends and family had never seen the Milky Way, and that space tourism was going to unlock the next great travel destination: space! You may also find updates at Sunlight Peakâs Facebook page. When you visit, you can ascend one of the dunes or attend an NPS astronomy program to have your mind blown by thousands of stars twinkling overhead. However, you can always check the official website or enjoy the sky with a night sky chart or star app. Valerie is the founder and editor of Space Tourism Guide. If you need equipment before setting out on a Colorado stargazing trip, we have a helpful resource on telescopes for every budget. Oh, and yes, great stargazing. Any stargazing fans out there? Also important to remember, the dome is not heated, so make sure to dress appropriately. 13. The areas around Fort Collins offer some of the best stargazing hot spots in the Front … In conjunction with NoCO 20’s and 30’s Local Adventures GroupThank you Breanna for doing all the legwork.Volunteers from Northern Colorado Astronomical Society will be available with large telescopes He was last seen on Laporte Ave around City Hall. Virtual Fort Collins/Laporte Community Conversation with Commissioner Kefalas. Reservoir Ridge Natural Area is a good place to base your stargazing expedition. Since receiving their certification, the Wet Valley – including these two towns – has become an ideal destination for stargazing in Colorado. In Stargazing Guide by Valerie StimacFebruary 3, 2020. We’ve organized these locations in alphabetical order to be more impartial. Dinosaur National Monument was certified as a Dark Sky Park in early 2019. Stargazing. Northwest of Denver, out on the plains, this state park affords you the opportunity to see stars with a virtually unobstructed view from horizon to horizon. Sat 9:30 AM Devil's Backbone Open Space. Do you know other great spots for stargazing in Colorado? Times will vary with the season, but currently open houses are held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. FRCCâs other observatory, Sunlight Peak, also hosts community nights, but those fall on the first Friday of each month. Mar. Be aware you’ll need to arrange camping if you want to stay overnight in the state park. Afterwards, you’ll be able to go outside for yourself and be a stargazing pro! Fort Collins Tourism: Tripadvisor has 49,582 reviews of Fort Collins Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Fort Collins resource. The Fort Collins Trolley is a special attraction that is guaranteed to be fun for the … Date: Friday, 1/22/2010 Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Mountain Location: Fossil Creek Reservoir, Carpenter (Co Rd 32) & Eagle Ranch Rd, Fort Collins, CO All five planets that can be seen with the naked eye are visible. Her love for travel sees her globe-trotting whenever she can, and she seeks out experiences that are off the beaten path so she can immerse herself in new cultures. 100% Upvoted. Jackson Lake State Park is the opposite. In the foothills outside Fort Collins, Horsetooth Reservoir is one of the best stargazing spots in this part of Colorado. If you have your Property/HOA managerâs email, please feel free to email them.Â, Property Management: 970-224-4446 (emergencies follow the voicemail prompts). Public Stargazing Friday Night at FRCC in Fort Collins. save hide report. From here you have easy access to both Rocky Mountain National Park and the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest. As the name suggests, The UFO Watchtower is pretty much ground zero for folks who want to look at the night ksy in the San Luis Valley.