Can you see the northern lights in Colorado?
Yes, but rarely — it takes a severe geomagnetic storm. In Fort Collins you need a Kp of about 7.4; in Pueblo, about 7.8. Seeing the aurora from southern Colorado is G4 (Severe) territory on NOAA's storm scale, and NOAA counts about 60 days per 11-year solar cycle at that level. Our table below also marks a city "possible" when the forecast is within one Kp of what it needs — the aurora may show low on the northern horizon, and phone cameras often pick it up before your eyes do. Source: NOAA Space Weather Scales.
Northern lights tonight in Colorado
Tonight (Thu Oct 8, 2026): forecast peak Kp 5.7 in Colorado.
| City | Kp needed | Tonight's peak | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins, CO | 7.4 | 5.7 | Unlikely |
| Denver, CO | 7.5 | 5.7 | Unlikely |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 7.7 | 5.7 | Unlikely |
| Pueblo, CO | 7.8 | 5.7 | Unlikely |
Space weather data from NOAA, updated . Refreshed every 5 minutes.
Kp needed comes from the NOAA Space Weather Scales, which give latitudes for Kp 6–9. Values for places north of about 55° geomagnetic latitude (including Alaska) are our extrapolation. NOAA notes that even at Kp 0 the edge of the auroral oval sits near 66° geomagnetic latitude, so interior Alaska can see aurora on quiet nights. How we calculate this.
Check your exact location: enter your ZIP code · get aurora alerts for Colorado
Where to see the northern lights in Colorado
- Jackson Lake State Park (Orchard, Morgan County). Jackson Lake was the first Colorado state park certified by the International Dark-Sky Association. It is in the plains of northeastern Colorado, and the park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Source
- Dinosaur National Monument (Moffat County, northwest Colorado (also in Utah)). The monument was certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019 and sits in northwest Colorado and northeast Utah. The NPS notes it is within a day's drive of millions of people who have lost Milky Way views to light pollution. Source
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Montrose County, near Montrose). The park became an International Dark Sky Park in 2015. The NPS notes that light domes form over populated areas, with Denver given as a bright example, so go to a viewpoint with an open view north. Source
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (Near Mosca, Alamosa County). The park has International Dark Sky Park gold-tier skies, helped by dry air, high elevation and little light pollution. The park is open around the clock, and the NPS advises waiting about 1.5 hours after sunset before viewing. Source
New to aurora watching? See what Kp means and when to look.
Good to know
- During the severe geomagnetic storm of May 10-11, 2024, the northern lights were seen over Colorado, according to Denver7. Source
- Public radio reported that the May 2024 storm brought aurora across Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. The best colors came on Friday, May 10, and clouds hid the lights over most of Colorado the next two nights. Source