El Paso County, CO Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)

Land Development Code Sec. 3(B)(1)(a), 'Concealed or Shielded,' requires light fixtures to be arranged and positioned so the light source is concealed and fully shielded, preventing direct light or reflection from becoming a nuisance or hazard to adjacent ownership or a right-of-way, and minimizing up-light, spill-light, glare, and unnecessary diffusion. Except as otherwise permitted, fixtures must be full cutoff as defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and the cutoff angle of an exterior light source cannot exceed 90 degrees; full-cutoff fixtures cannot be tilted or aimed so light distributes above the horizontal plane.

Semi-cutoff or cutoff fixtures are allowed outside parking lots only if pole height stays at or under 10 feet and output stays at or under 1,800 lumens per lamp. The rule is a Chapter 6 development standard applied to lighting plans on site development plan applications; Sec. 3(D) exempts single-family residential lighting from the section except for the separate prohibited-lighting list, so it governs commercial, multifamily, and institutional projects in the unincorporated county.