Sunset & Sunrise Today in Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Highlands Ranch: sunrise 7:10 AM, sunset 6:20 PM.
In Highlands Ranch, Colorado, the sun rises at 7:09 AM and sets at 6:21 PM today, Wednesday, October 14, 2026, for a total of 11h 12m of daylight. Solar noon, when the sun is highest over Highlands Ranch, is at 12:45 PM.
Because Highlands Ranch is at 39.55° (the mid-latitudes), daylight swings noticeably between the long days of summer and the short days of winter. Each day is currently getting about 2 minutes shorter and 30 seconds. As autumn progresses, sunrise and sunset in Highlands Ranch move a little each day rather than staying fixed.
If you're shooting at sunset, aim for Highlands Ranch's golden hour, about 5:46 PM to 6:39 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 6:39 PM to 6:49 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Highlands Ranch is at 6:20 PM and sunrise at 7:10 AM — about 2m 30s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Highlands Ranch drift across the whole year.
Autumn has arrived in Highlands Ranch, and the days are drawing in. Over the course of the year, sunset in Highlands Ranch ranges from as early as 4:35 PM (around December 2) to as late as 8:31 PM (around June 25). Its longest day lands on June 20 with 14h 57m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 9h 21m.
Moon in Highlands Ranch today
Sunset today: Highlands Ranch vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlands Ranch | 7:09 AM | 6:21 PM | 11h 12m |
| Southglenn | 7:09 AM | 6:21 PM | 11h 12m |
| Littleton | 7:09 AM | 6:21 PM | 11h 12m |
| Centennial | 7:08 AM | 6:21 PM | 11h 12m |
| Englewood | 7:09 AM | 6:21 PM | 11h 12m |
Highlands Ranch sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 14h 57m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 21m
- Latest sunset 8:31 PM (June 25)
- Earliest sunset 4:35 PM (December 2)
- Earliest sunrise 5:32 AM (June 7)
- Latest sunrise 7:27 AM (October 31)
Solstices & equinoxes in Highlands Ranch (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 7:03 AM | 7:11 PM | 12h 08m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:32 AM | 8:30 PM | 14h 57m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 6:47 AM | 6:56 PM | 12h 08m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:17 AM | 4:39 PM | 9h 21m |
Highlands Ranch sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Oct 14 | 7:09 AM | 6:21 PM | 11h 12m | — |
| Thu Oct 15 | 7:10 AM | 6:20 PM | 11h 09m | −2m 30s |
| Fri Oct 16 | 7:11 AM | 6:18 PM | 11h 07m | −2m 30s |
| Sat Oct 17 | 7:12 AM | 6:17 PM | 11h 04m | −2m 29s |
| Sun Oct 18 | 7:13 AM | 6:15 PM | 11h 02m | −2m 28s |
| Mon Oct 19 | 7:14 AM | 6:14 PM | 11h 00m | −2m 28s |
| Tue Oct 20 | 7:15 AM | 6:13 PM | 10h 57m | −2m 27s |
| Wed Oct 21 | 7:16 AM | 6:11 PM | 10h 55m | −2m 27s |
| Thu Oct 22 | 7:17 AM | 6:10 PM | 10h 52m | −2m 25s |
| Fri Oct 23 | 7:18 AM | 6:08 PM | 10h 50m | −2m 26s |
| Sat Oct 24 | 7:19 AM | 6:07 PM | 10h 47m | −2m 24s |
| Sun Oct 25 | 7:20 AM | 6:06 PM | 10h 45m | −2m 24s |
| Mon Oct 26 | 7:21 AM | 6:05 PM | 10h 43m | −2m 22s |
| Tue Oct 27 | 7:23 AM | 6:03 PM | 10h 40m | −2m 22s |
Twilight times in Highlands Ranch today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 5:39 AM | 7:51 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 6:10 AM | 7:20 PM |
| Civil twilight | 6:41 AM | 6:49 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 6:51 AM | 7:44 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 5:46 PM | 6:39 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon.
Sunrise & sunset in Highlands Ranch by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:20 AM | 4:46 PM | 9h 25m |
| February | 7:07 AM | 5:19 PM | 10h 12m |
| March | 6:32 AM | 5:52 PM | 11h 19m |
| April | 6:44 AM | 7:23 PM | 12h 39m |
| May | 6:00 AM | 7:53 PM | 13h 52m |
| June | 5:34 AM | 8:21 PM | 14h 46m |
| July | 5:36 AM | 8:30 PM | 14h 54m |
| August | 5:59 AM | 8:12 PM | 14h 12m |
| September | 6:28 AM | 7:30 PM | 13h 01m |
| October | 6:56 AM | 6:41 PM | 11h 45m |
| November | 6:28 AM | 4:57 PM | 10h 29m |
| December | 7:01 AM | 4:36 PM | 9h 34m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Highlands Ranch
What time is sunset in Highlands Ranch today?
Sunset in Highlands Ranch, Colorado is at 6:21 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in Highlands Ranch today?
Sunrise in Highlands Ranch is at 7:09 AM today, with 11h 12m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Highlands Ranch tomorrow?
Sunrise in Highlands Ranch tomorrow is at 7:10 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 6:20 PM.
What time is sunset in Highlands Ranch tomorrow?
Sunset in Highlands Ranch tomorrow is at 6:20 PM.
How long is the day in Highlands Ranch today?
Highlands Ranch gets 11h 12m of daylight today, between sunrise at 7:09 AM and sunset at 6:21 PM.
When is golden hour in Highlands Ranch?
The evening golden hour in Highlands Ranch is about 5:46 PM to 6:39 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Highlands Ranch?
The evening blue hour in Highlands Ranch runs from about 6:39 PM to 6:49 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Highlands Ranch?
After sunset at 6:21 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Highlands Ranch at around 6:49 PM today.
When is solar noon in Highlands Ranch?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Highlands Ranch — is at 12:45 PM today.
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Learn more about the sunset
- 🌇 What is golden hour?Golden hour is the warm, soft light just after sunrise and before sunset. Learn what it is, when it happens, how long it lasts, and how to use it.
- 🌆 What is blue hour?Discover what blue hour is, when it happens, how it differs from golden hour, and expert tips for photographing the soft blue twilight. Check exact blue.
- 🌌 Twilight explained: civil, nautical & astronomicalLearn the three phases of twilight—civil, nautical, astronomical—and what they mean for photographers, stargazers, and sunset lovers.
- 🌅 Why are sunsets red and orange?Discover the science behind red and orange sunsets, from Rayleigh scattering to air quality. Learn when and where to see the most vivid colors.
- 📸 The best time to photograph a sunsetDiscover the best time to photograph a sunset, from golden hour to blue hour. Learn exact timing, camera settings, and composition tips for stunning shots.
- ☀️ What is solar noon?Solar noon is when the sun reaches its highest point. Learn why it rarely matches 12:00 PM and how to find your exact solar noon.
- 📈 Why days get longer and shorter through the yearEarth's axial tilt drives seasonal day-length changes. Learn how solstices, equinoxes, and latitude affect daylight where you live.
- 🌞 The summer solstice explainedWhat causes the summer solstice, when it happens, and how it affects sunset times. Discover the science and beauty of the year's longest day.