Colorado State University has permitted the installation of 12 LED advertising billboards around campus. This wouldn't be possible under the Fort Collins land use code, but CSU is evidently exempt as a State institution.

The negative impacts of CSU’s new LED advertising billboards will be worse than you think. 

You don’t need anyone to tell you how annoying and ugly LED advertising billboards can be. If the new LED displays being installed around campus cast light into your bedroom or living quarters, you know it.

But LED billboards are a leading cause—perhaps the leading cause—of light pollution, defined as the inappropriate or excessive use of outdoor artificial light. Light pollution has serious, well-known negative impacts on nocturnal wildlife, public health, and quality of life. 

This decision also poses a significant threat to several aspects of life in and around the university.

*** DarkSky International info on LED billboards: bit.ly/DSbillbrd ***

*** DarkSky Colorado on Why Dark Skies Matter: bit.ly/WhyDarkSky ***

Environment

One of the most substantiated environmental impacts of light pollution is that it kills millions of migratory birds each year. (80 percent of migratory birds travel by night and rely on natural cycles of light and darkness to navigate successfully.) It affects virtually every domain of wildlife behavior: mating, predation, pollination, sleep, migration, and so forth. 

Public Health

Short-wavelength light, such as the light LED advertising billboards emit, causes melatonin suppression. Studies show that this can make it difficult to fall asleep and negatively impact sleep quality.

Light pollution (from environmental nuisances like electronic billboards and poorly designed streetlights) is correlated to increased risk of insomnia, obesity, diabetes, low birthweight, cardiovascular disease, and several types of cancer. That’s why the American Medical Association has issued guidance on outdoor lighting practices to mitigate light pollution in general and short-wavelength “blue” light in particular. 

Join us in urging Colorado State University to modify—or preferably, abandon—these plans. By doing so, CSU can be a leader in sustainable campus infrastructure.

We need your support to send a clear message that we value our environment, health, and wildlife. Sign this petition and help preserve the quality of life and ecological integrity of our campus and surrounding areas.