By Caleb Swartz, BUPD 2025

This summer, I worked in the Department of Community Development as a planning intern for the Town of Breckenridge, Colorado. My key role was to support the planners and community in navigating an update to the exterior lighting town code. The dark initiative will result in the town becoming a DarkSky International Certified Community.

I first learned of the opportunity when networking at the 2025 National Planning Conference. I interviewed two Breckenridge employees during the conference. Later, I applied for the position and interviewed for it. I attribute my success in getting the internship to my participation in the Student Planning Association, where I served as president for one year. It’s essential not to be afraid to venture out on your own to explore networking and employment opportunities.

I spent my first month conducting a GIS survey of all the exterior lighting on private property in Breckenridge. This enabled me to become familiar with the community’s geography and the updated exterior lighting ordinance. We next issued notices to all private property owners who were identified as being out of compliance with the regulations.

After we issued the notice letters, I managed the hotlines for the Dark Sky Initiative. I answered phone calls, responded to emails, conducted site visits, hosted community engagement events, collected sky quality measurements, planned community engagement events, maintained compliant survey responses and the GIS database, and attended regular meetings to support staff.

Eventually, I was able to take on more responsibilities. I improved the user interface experience of sourcing relevant Dark Sky information by curating the updates for the town’s exterior lighting website and resources. I reviewed and approved permits, conducted code enforcement walks, and issued the necessary fines and paperwork for violations.

Beyond Dark Sky, I also spent a day with the trail’s maintenance crew. I was able to assist them in implementing field maps to navigate their GIS mapping and work order system. All day, I hiked alongside the crew, clearing drainage ditches alongside the trails and removing and scattering fallen and at-risk-of-falling trees. 

Not only was I able to support Breckenridge this summer, but I was able to continue working with the City of Muncie. I attended the grand opening of the Westside Skatepark and shared an update on the legal graffiti wall project with the mayor and the parks department. As a result of my efforts, the mayor endorsed and advocated for the final partnership required for the project’s success. As a result of the fundraiser, we were able to reach our goal of $500, and we also gave away skateboards, helmets, T-shirts, and more!

The internship in Breckenridge expanded my technical, interpersonal, and professional planning skills. I’m grateful to both the Town of Breckenridge and Ball State’s Department of Urban Planning for preparing me to contribute meaningfully to communities both near and far.

Caleb Swartz will graduate in December, 2025.  The Department looks forward to seeing where life takes him next! (Spoiler alert: It’s Breckenridge!)