4 December 2018 Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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"Irq REDUCE LIGHT POLLUTION TO PRESERVE NIGHT SKY residential and commercial/industrial participation in energy If you are considering updating or replacing your outdoor efficiency and renewable energy programs.Louisville will lights you may want to think about being"dark sky friendly" become the first Colorado community to graduate from Part and help reduce light pollution in our City. This can be as ners in Energy and collaborate with Xcel again focusing on simple as using shielded light fixtures and directing them energy efficiency and renewable energy called Energy Future downward,using warm white bulbs,and using a timer,dim- merCollaboration that will kick off in January 2019. or motion detector on lights so you only use as much December 15th is the last day for local businesses to apply as light as needed. a Louisville Green Business! Exciting changes are underway this program year with business to business networking, What is light pollution? Most of us are familiar with air or workshops and educational opportunities to support inte- water pollution,but light can be a pollutant as well. Light grating sustainability further into our business community. pollution is the excessive use of artificial light. Light pollu- Get your applications in today and help build our growing tion has been shown to be harmful to human health,dis- green economy.To learn more,visit the City's website at rupt natural sleep patterns,negatively impact wildlife,and www.LouisvilleCO.gov/GreenBusiness. excessive lighting wastes energy and money. Reducing light pollution also helps us experience the beautiful nighttime RE-ROOFING PERMITS FOLLOWING HAIL STORM sky of Colorado. While good outdoor lighting is necessary for safety and secu Almost all properties in Louisville were impacted by the se rity,there are many ways to design dark sky friendly lighting vere hail storm that struck on June 18th. As a result,the City that enhances visibility. Bright,unshielded lighting can actu anticipates that most homes and businesses will require new ally inhibit safety though glare and creating light and dark roofs.The City wants to make sure that all roofs are installed areas where it is difficult to see. More lighting is not always in compliance with the City's adopted building codes and better lighting. by qualified contractors. As a result,we are continuing to require building permits and roofing inspections for all roof Protecting the night sky starts with YOU! replacements to ensure compliance.The City's Building Divi- sion is working overtime and has hired several temporary Light only Shield lights and staff members to reduce the delays in permitting. However, what you need direct them down because of the large number of permits being processed, Use energy efficient permits are taking longer than usual to be issued.Additional bulbs and only information on roof permitting and code requirements can as bright as -�-___ ® you need 5W be found at www.LouisvilleCO.gov/Residents/Planning. Join IDA! DOG OFF-LEASH AREA CLOSURES AT DAVIDSON MESA AUTOMATIC '+ Choose We need your help to continue - 0 TIMER the-fight against light pollution. Only use • � warm white With winter approaching,the Davidson Mesa Dog Off-Leash ° light bulbs light when 'e,„ Ida we Area may experience temporary closures due to unfavorable you need it da"skY°rg wet or muddy conditions.These closures are for the protec- For more information on dark sky lighting benefits and tion of the property in addtion to the safety of our canine resources you can visit the International Dark Sky Association and human users.The City recognizes that it is disappointing website at www.DarkSky.org. To learn more about Louisville to find that the area is closed but appreciates that citizens retailers offering a discount to residents for dark sky fixtures understand and support the City's intent to protect and pre- and classes on retrofitting fixtures to be dark sky compliant, serve the resources for generations to come. Ranger Natural- visit www.LouisvilleCO.gov/DarkSky. ists are on staff 7 days a week to monitor the Dog Off-Leash Area multiple times a day to assess conditions. In the mean- GREEN SCENE time,the Dog Park at Community Park remains open for folks who are looking for a place to run their dogs. In May 2016,the City of Louisville became one of the Colo Want real time updates?The City offers e-notifications that rado communities formally participating in Xcel Energy's Partners in Energy program,a 2-year collaboration with Xcel can be sent to your phone and/or email when the Davidson Mesa Dog Off-Leash Area is closed.The link can be found at to develop and implement community energy plan goals. Through ongoing engagement,the City and Xcel developed www•LouisvilleCO.gov/Enotification.Additionally,informa- the Louisville Energy Action Plan,as well as an annual 1% tion on closures can be obtained by following us on Face- energy use reduction goal over the 2015 baseline across the book,checking the City's website or from the sign located at community. the entrance to the off-leash area.Please feel free to con- tact the Ranger Naturalists if you have further questions at In 2017,the City achieved a 1.4%decrease in total energy use 303.335.4770 or Rangers@LouisvilleCO.gov. and 11%emission decrease across the community through December 2018 • Page 7