Yeast Starter Malt Color too Dark

So, I accidentally purchased some dark DME. It isn't black or anything, but it is a rich brown color. Anyway, I made under a half gallon yeast starter for my IPA, but I'm worried the starter will affect the color and flavor of my IPA recipe. Has anyone had experience with this? Is a dark brown 40 oz. yeast starter really going to affect my 5.5 gallon Copper colored IPA? Any help would be much appreciated.

pour off the liquid and just pitch the slurry. should be OK.

I plan on pitching within 24 hours of making the starter. Should I crash-cool the starter mid fermentation and do that?

sure, if you are worried about color contribution. do you have a stir plate? if not then every hour or so if you can shake it to oxygenate it. 24 hours should be enough time to build up cell count before you crash cool and decant liquid off to pitch.