Right now, the clock on your wall or phone in the shadow of Pikes Peak says it is mid-afternoon. To be precise, it’s Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and if you’re looking for the time Colorado Springs right now, the city is currently operating on Mountain Standard Time (MST).
It’s 2:13 PM.
Most people just glance at their phone and move on. But there’s a whole layer of "mountain logic" to how time works here that travelers and even some locals constantly mess up. We aren't just "two hours behind New York." It’s actually a bit more chaotic than that once you factor in the high-altitude sun, the looming 2026 Daylight Saving shift, and the weird way the mountains literally swallow the afternoon light before the clock says they should.
The Mountain Standard Reality
Colorado Springs is sitting at an offset of UTC-7. Basically, we are seven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time.
If you are calling someone in London, they are seven hours ahead of us. Calling your cousin in Los Angeles? They’re an hour behind you. It sounds simple until you realize that we are currently in the "dark months." In January, the sun is doing some very specific things in the 719 area code.
Today, the sun rose at 7:16 AM. It’s going to set at 5:00 PM sharp.
That gives us exactly 9 hours and 44 minutes of daylight. But here’s the kicker: if you’re standing on the west side of town, near Manitou Springs or Old Colorado City, "sunset" happens much earlier for you. The physical bulk of the Rocky Mountains acts like a giant curtain. You might lose the direct sun by 4:00 PM, even though the official time Colorado Springs right now says you have another hour of daylight.
Why the March 2026 Shift is Different
We are currently in the standard time stretch. But mark your calendars for Sunday, March 8, 2026.
That is when we "spring forward."
At 2:00 AM, the clocks will jump to 3:00 AM. We move from MST to Mountain Daylight Time (MDT), which is UTC-6. This year, March 8 is the earliest possible date for this transition to happen. It feels like a gut punch to your sleep schedule because it arrives a full day earlier than it did last year.
- Date of Change: March 8, 2026
- Action: Move clocks forward 1 hour
- Result: Later sunsets (huge for hiking), darker mornings (rough for school kids)
Honestly, there has been a lot of talk in the Colorado legislature about getting rid of this back-and-forth dance. People are tired of it. However, until federal law changes or the "Sunshine Protection Act" actually makes some headway in D.C., we are stuck with the flip-flop. For now, we stay on MST until that second Sunday in March.
Managing the "Mountain Time" Lag
If you’re visiting from the East Coast, your body is going to scream at you at 8:00 PM. You'll feel like it’s 10:00 PM.
The thin air at 6,035 feet doesn’t help. Dehydration mimics jet lag, so if you're trying to sync up with the local rhythm, drink twice the water you think you need.
Why the Afternoon Disappears
The "Golden Hour" in Colorado Springs is a bit of a myth if you aren't in the right spot. Because we are tucked right against the Front Range, the sun disappears behind the peaks while it's still high in the sky.
If you want the best light, you have to go east. Head out toward Falcon or Peyton to actually see the horizon. If you stay downtown, the shadows get long and the temperature drops 10 degrees the second the sun dips behind the granite.
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Winter 2026: A Strange Season
We are currently dealing with what experts call a "snow drought."
As of January 8, about 85% of SNOTEL stations in Colorado are reporting below-average snowpack. It’s been a warm, dry start to the year. While the time Colorado Springs right now feels like mid-winter, the ground looks like late October.
This matters for your timing. If you’re planning a trip to the mountains for skiing, the "standard" winter schedule is a bit off. Many trails that should be under three feet of powder are currently hikable with just a pair of micro-spikes.
Key Dates for Your 2026 Calendar
- January 14 (Today): Peak winter "short days." Sunset at 5:00 PM.
- March 8: Daylight Saving Time begins. Sunset will jump toward 7:00 PM almost overnight.
- March 20: The Vernal Equinox. Spring officially starts at 8:46 AM.
- November 1: Daylight Saving Time ends. We fall back to MST.
Actionable Steps for Staying on Track
To stay synchronized with the Springs, don't just rely on your internal clock. The mountain environment is deceptive.
- Check the "True" Sunset: If you are hiking Garden of the Gods, assume the "usable" light ends 30 minutes before the official sunset time. The shadows in the rock formations turn to pitch black very fast.
- Sync Your Devices: Most smartphones handle the MST/MDT switch perfectly, but if you have a "dumb" watch or a car clock, the March 8 jump is easy to forget.
- Hydrate for Time Zones: If you just arrived, your "circadian rhythm" is fighting the altitude. Go to bed at 9:00 PM local time for the first two nights to force your body to adjust to the mountain clock.
The most important thing to remember about the time Colorado Springs right now is that it’s fleeting. The weather here changes in fifteen-minute increments. You can have a "70-degree afternoon" at 2:00 PM and be in a blizzard by 5:00 PM. Always check the hourly forecast alongside the clock.