Sunrise & Sunset Times in Westminster, CO
Today's exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Westminster, Colorado. Plus solar noon, civil twilight, and golden hour times — calculated from Westminster's coordinates (39.84° N, 105.04° W).
About sunrise and sunset in Westminster
Westminster, CO sits at 39.84° N latitude in the temperate zone. The longest day of the year here lasts about 14h 48m (around the summer solstice in June), while the shortest day shrinks to 9h 12m — a year-round swing of 5h 42m. Because Westminster is in the central part of the Denver time zone, solar noon falls close to clock noon.
Mid-latitude temperate — pronounced summer/winter day-length difference. The sun rises roughly east, swinging northeast in summer and southeast in winter, and sets roughly west, swinging northwest in summer and southwest in winter. Civil twilight (the period when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon) lasts approximately 35 minutes around the equinoxes — a noticeable extended dawn and dusk window.
Quick facts for Westminster
Solar noon offset reflects Westminster's position in its time zone — the further from the time zone's standard meridian, the further the actual midday drifts from 12:00 on the clock.
Sunrise & Sunset in Westminster
Today's sunrise and sunset times in Westminster, CO. See exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Westminster. Updated daily.
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Sunrise and sunset FAQ for Westminster
How accurate are the Westminster sunrise and sunset times?
Times are calculated using NOAA-grade astronomical algorithms based on Westminster's exact coordinates (39.8367, -105.0372) and time zone (America/Denver). Accuracy is typically within 1 minute. Local horizon obstructions (mountains, tall buildings) can shift the visible sunrise/sunset by a few minutes compared to the calculated value.
How long is the longest day of the year in Westminster?
At Westminster's latitude of 39.84° N, the longest day stretches to about 14h 48m on the June solstice. The shortest day, on the December solstice, is around 9h 12m — a year-round swing of roughly 5h 42m.
When is golden hour in Westminster?
Golden hour in Westminster occurs in the ~60-minute window after sunrise and before sunset, when the sun is low (typically below 6° elevation) and light is softer and warmer. Photographers favour this window for portraits and landscapes. The exact start/end depends on the season — golden hour is shorter near the equinoxes and longer in winter when the sun travels at a shallower angle.
Do Westminster sunrise times change with daylight saving time?
Yes. All times shown here use Westminster's local clock, which switches between standard time and daylight saving time on the dates set by US federal law (second Sunday in March, first Sunday in November). The actual position of the sun does not change — only the clock face does. See our Daylight Saving Time guide for the next change date.
In which direction does the sun rise and set in Westminster?
In Westminster, the sun rises in the east, swinging northeast in summer and southeast in winter, and sets in the west, swinging northwest in summer and southwest in winter. On the equinoxes (around 20 March and 22 September), the sun rises due east and sets due west. Between those dates, the sunrise/sunset points shift along the horizon as Earth's axial tilt changes the sun's declination.
What is solar noon, and when does it happen in Westminster?
Solar noon is the moment the sun is at its highest point in the sky for the day. In Westminster, solar noon arrives roughly right at clock noon, because Westminster sits in the central partof its time zone. The exact offset shifts a few minutes through the year due to Earth's elliptical orbit (the "equation of time").