If you’re staring at your phone wondering what time is it now in Denver, you aren’t alone. It’s a common hitch for travelers and remote workers alike. Right now, Denver is coasting through the heart of winter in 2026.
As of Sunday, January 18, 2026, Denver is operating on Mountain Standard Time (MST).
Since the current time is approximately 9:16 PM EST, that puts Denver at 7:16 PM MST.
The city sits exactly seven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-7). If you’re coming from the East Coast, you’ve gained two hours. If you’re a West Coaster, you’re an hour ahead of your usual Pacific pace. It sounds simple, but the high-altitude lifestyle in Colorado has a way of making time feel a bit different, especially when the sun dips behind the Rockies.
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The Mountain Time Mystery
Why does everyone get confused by Denver’s clock? It’s mostly the "Mountain" part. Unlike the coastal zones that feel fixed, the Mountain Time Zone is the bridge. It’s the transition. Honestly, if you are calling someone in Denver from New York, you're usually safe until about 9 PM your time. After that, you're pushing it.
Denver is currently in its "Standard" phase. This means we are in the long stretch of winter where the sun sets early and the air gets crisp. We aren't in Daylight Saving Time yet. That doesn't happen for a few more weeks.
According to the 2026 calendar, the big shift—what we usually call "Spring Forward"—is scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2026. At 2:00 AM on that morning, Denver will jump from MST to MDT (Mountain Daylight Time). You’ll lose an hour of sleep, but you’ll gain that glorious late-evening sunlight that makes Colorado summers so famous.
Sunsets and High Altitude Reality
Understanding what time is it now in Denver is about more than just digits on a screen. It’s about the light. On this specific Sunday, January 18, the sun set over the Front Range at approximately 5:03 PM.
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The sunrise earlier this morning was at 7:17 AM.
We are currently seeing about 9 hours and 48 minutes of daylight. It’s short. But the interesting thing about Denver time is the "Alpine Glow." Even after the official sunset time, the sky often stays purple and orange for another thirty minutes because of the elevation.
If you're planning a hike or a drive up to Red Rocks, you have to account for this. The mountains to the west eat the sun earlier than the horizon does in Kansas. Even if the clock says 4:30 PM, if you're in the shadows of the foothills, it feels like nightfall.
Managing the Time Difference
Working with Denver from other zones requires a little mental math.
- Eastern Time: You are 2 hours ahead. When it's noon for you, it's 10 AM in Denver.
- Central Time: You are 1 hour ahead. Your 11 AM is their 10 AM.
- Pacific Time: You are 1 hour behind. When you start your day at 8 AM, Denver has already been at it since 9 AM.
Most people get this wrong when scheduling "all-hands" meetings. If you’re a manager in Charlotte or Boston, don't schedule an 8 AM meeting for your Denver team unless you want to see a lot of tired faces on Zoom. They're just waking up at 6 AM.
Upcoming Shifts in 2026
Keep an eye on the calendar as the year progresses. Denver’s relationship with time changes significantly twice a year.
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- March 8, 2026: Clocks move forward. Denver becomes UTC-6.
- November 1, 2026: Clocks move back. Denver returns to UTC-7.
There has been a lot of talk in the Colorado legislature over the years about staying on permanent Daylight Saving Time. Experts like those at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies have monitored these bills closely. For now, though, the "Spring Forward, Fall Back" tradition remains firmly in place.
Actionable Steps for Staying on Track
If you’re visiting or doing business in the Mile High City, here is how to handle the clock:
Sync your calendar manually if you are traveling. While most smartphones update automatically, rental car clocks and hotel bedside alarms are notorious for being wrong. Double-check them the moment you check in.
Plan for the "Mountain Shadow." If you are heading into the Rockies for a sunset view, arrive at least 45 minutes before the "official" sunset time. The sun disappears behind the peaks much faster than you’d expect.
Check the 2026 DST dates before booking spring travel. If you’re flying into DIA on March 8, that 1-hour jump can turn a tight connection into a missed flight if you aren't paying attention to the local shift.
Knowing what time is it now in Denver is basically your first step to mastering the Mountain West. Whether you're here for the skiing or just trying to time a phone call to a friend in LoDo, keeping that two-hour buffer from the East Coast in mind will save you a lot of awkward "did I wake you up?" conversations.