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

Larimer County itself does not impose a general dark-sky lighting ordinance on existing rural homes; lighting is governed mainly by nuisance rules and, for new subdivisions, site-lighting standards. The strongest local dark-sky rules are in the Town of Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, whose Development Code Section 7.9 sets exterior-lighting requirements for new development. Estes Park expressly applies those Section 7.9 standards to vacation homes and bed-and-breakfast inns (new or existing) to limit light spill and glare and preserve dark skies. Fort Collins similarly regulates exterior site lighting under Land Use Code §3.2.4. Confirm requirements with the relevant town before installing exterior fixtures.