Bluff, Utah
The town of Bluff, Utah is the state’s latest certified International Dark Sky Community. This prestigious certification recognizes the dedicated efforts of Bears Ears Partnership, Town of Bluff, and community advocates committed to protecting the natural night environment. Bluff now joins a select group of communities around the world working to preserve the natural night environment. This achievement reflects Bluff’s deep respect for the land, its wildlife, and its people – now and for generations to come.
Michael Rymer, Program Associate for DarkSky International, knows how valuable this effort is to Bluff and the Southeast region of Utah. “Utah is saturated with International Dark Sky Places, especially around the Colorado Plateau. Bluff joins several other International Dark Sky Places in strengthening dark sky protections in this part of the country, and its residents are proud of the priceless land and sky in which they live. The immense natural beauty of Bluff and its surrounding areas are well worth protecting, so we congratulate the town on this certification.”
Bluff, Utah is a small rural town nestled in the southeastern corner of the state, where the striking red rock landscapes of the Colorado Plateau meet the San Juan River. With a population of just under 300 residents, Bluff serves as a hub for the surrounding region, including nearby communities on the Navajo Nation.
The area has been inhabited for over 13,000 years, beginning when Clovis hunter-gatherers once roamed this region. Ancestral Puebloans established settlements around 650 CE and evidence of their presence remains in the form of Ancestral Puebloan sites, including petroglyphs that can be found around the outskirts of Bluff. In 1880, Latter-Day Saint pioneers from the Hole in the Rock Expedition permanently settled in Bluff, leaving behind Victorian-style homes that still stand today.
Since its official incorporation as a municipality in 2018, the Town of Bluff has actively worked to preserve its unique heritage while embracing sustainable development. Bluff’s history is intertwined with the rich cultural traditions of the Indigenous peoples who still occupy the area and who have a profound connection to the night sky. This relationship informs the Town’s ongoing commitment to conservation and preservation of the land. For the people in and around Bluff, nature is not simply a scenic backdrop but a partner in everyday life and a central element to the town’s vision for the future.
Bluff’s journey to become a Dark Sky Community began with its incorporation and a shared belief among residents that the night sky is a powerful resource that should be respected. With the formation of its own Planning and Zoning Commission, the Town developed a lighting ordinance aligned with DarkSky guidelines – officially adopted in 2019 and amended in 2022. With the ordinance in place, a Dark Sky committee was established to lead the application process.
Achieving the designation required more than ordinances; it demanded community-wide commitment. Residents and businesses made changes to lighting, while volunteers monitored sky brightness levels and hosted stargazing events to build awareness and appreciation. Since 2016, community-led star parties have helped inspire reverence and respect for the night sky. In 2024, the Town of Bluff solidified a formal partnership with Bears Ears Partnership (BEP) that helped push the town over the finish line. BEP now leads ongoing education and seasonal sky monitoring, ensuring Bluff meets DarkSky’s requirements for years to come.
“We’re so proud to receive this designation. This was one of the first things our community wanted to do after we were incorporated in 2018,” said Bluff Mayor Ann Leppanen. “The dark skies over Bluff are more than beautiful—they’re part of who we are. Earning this designation reflects years of dedication from our residents and a deep respect for the natural world.”
Sarah Burak, the Education Director with Bears Ears Partnership, and Bluff resident, added “Over the last several years, I have had the pleasure to work with the Town of Bluff on becoming an International Dark Sky Community. As we’re rapidly losing natural darkness worldwide, it is important to do what we can to protect this irreplaceable resource at home and set an example for other gateway communities to public lands. I am encouraged and grateful to be part of a community working to preserve the night sky for ourselves and future generations.”
Looking ahead, Bluff envisions further strengthening partnerships with residents, businesses, and visitors to advance dark sky initiatives. Engagement with residents and visitors will be on full display during the town’s first Dark Sky Festival, the weekend of November 14-15, 2025. Town of Bluff is currently developing further educational materials, including brochures, kiosk signage, and other informational resources. The town is committed to working with residents, businesses, and other shareholders to celebrate dark skies, continue to improve lighting compliance, and maintain resident quality of life. The town remains optimistic that its efforts will inspire other communities in the area to adopt similar practices and reinforce the wonderful work that many of the national parks and monuments in the area have already created. By continuing to prioritize education, outreach, thoughtful dialogue with stakeholders, and collaboration, Bluff not only secures its own dark sky future, but sets a steadfast example of sustainability for others to follow.
About the International Dark Sky Places Program:
Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a non-regulatory and voluntary program encouraging communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe. Bluff, Utah now joins more than 240 Places that have demonstrated robust communitysupport for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution. Learn more by visiting https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/.
About DarkSky International:
The mission of DarkSky is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. Learn more at darksky.org
Contacts
Sarah BurakEducation Director, Bears Ears Partnership+1 (435) 414-0343 x 709[email protected]
Erin NelsonTown Manager, Town of Bluff+1 (435) 269-0021[email protected]
DarkSky InternationalMichael Rymer, Program Associate+1 (520) 347-6365 [email protected]