The colored part of the human eye that controls how much light passes through the pupil is called the iris. It is a thin circular structure that surrounds the pupil and contains pigments that give the eye its distinct color. The iris is responsible for regulating the amount of light that enters the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil. In bright light, the iris contracts and makes the pupil smaller to reduce the amount of light entering the eye. In dim light, the iris expands and makes the pupil larger to allow more light to enter the eye. The iris also plays a role in controlling the depth of focus of the eye, which is important for clear vision at different distances.