Manitou Springs, CO Outdoor Lighting: Dark Sky Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Max color temperature
- 3,000 kelvin
- Fixture requirement
- full cutoff, downward-shielded
- Controls required
- automatic daylight shutoff
- Max luminaire output
- 20,000 lumens (prohibited above)
- Trigger for compliance
- any new Development Plan
Summary
Manitou Springs requires all exterior fixtures on a Development Plan application to be full cutoff and capped at a 3,000 kelvin color-temperature rating to achieve dark sky compliance. Lighting must also shut off automatically when daylight is sufficient, and existing fixtures must be brought into compliance when a property files a new Development Plan.
B.All fixtures must be full cutoff. Existing bulbs being replaced with LEDs need to provide shielding to direct light downward and conceal the light source. ... E.The color-temperature rating of fixture lamps shall not exceed three thousand (3,000) kelvin in order to achieve dark sky compliance. ... F.All light fixtures shall employ automatic lighting controls that extinguish exterior lighting when sufficient daylight is available, such as timers, photo sensitive light controls, photoelectric lighting controller, a building automation system, or a lighting energy management system.
Full Breakdown
06. B requires all fixtures to be full cutoff, meaning they direct light downward and do not allow light to escape upward or sideways past the fixture housing; even a straight LED bulb swap into an existing fixture must add shielding to redirect the light downward and conceal the bulb itself. E targets the color of the light, not just its direction: fixture lamps cannot exceed a color-temperature rating of 3,000 kelvin, the warmer end of the spectrum associated with reduced sky glow, in order to achieve dark sky compliance.
F adds a timing control requirement, mandating automatic controls, such as timers, photo-sensitive controls, or a building automation system, that extinguish exterior lighting once daylight is sufficient. 7 on searchlights, lasers, and any single luminaire exceeding 20,000 lumens. 6.
Violations & Fines
Lighting standards fall under Chapter 18.03's development standards, enforced the same way as other LUDC provisions: the Neighborhood Services Officer investigates complaints and issues written violation orders under Section 18.06.4.29, and the Planning Director can order emergency abatement where public safety is at stake. A conviction is punishable under Section 1.01.100 with a fine up to $2,650, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with continuing noncompliance charged as a new offense each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color temperature is allowed for outdoor lighting in Manitou Springs?
Do all outdoor fixtures need to be full cutoff?
Does existing lighting have to be upgraded to meet dark sky rules?
Are timers or motion sensors required on outdoor lights?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manitou Springs
Compare Manitou Springs to another location·View the Colorado outdoor lighting overview
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Dark Sky Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in El Paso County handle dark sky rules.