Time In Denver, Colorado: Current Local Hour

If you're wondering what the time is in Denver, Colorado, you're in the right place. Denver uses Mountain Standard Time (MST) and observes Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) during the summer months. So, depending on the time of year, the time in Denver will be either UTC/GMT -7 hours or UTC/GMT -6 hours.

Mountain Standard Time (MST)

The time in Denver, Colorado, is Mountain Standard Time (MST). This is one of the time zones used in the United States and Canada, generically called Mountain Time (MT).

Mountain Standard Time is 7 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) or GMT. This is the time kept when standard time (UTC−07:00) is in effect. During daylight saving time, Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) is observed, which is 6 hours behind UTC (UTC−06:00).

In Denver, the switch from MST to MDT happens on the second Sunday in March, and the switch back occurs on the first Sunday in November.

The clock time in the Mountain Time Zone is based on the mean solar time at the 105th meridian west of the Greenwich Observatory. The time zone refers to the Rocky Mountains, which range from British Columbia to New Mexico.

In the US, the Mountain Time Zone is to the east of the Pacific Time Zone and to the west of the Central Time Zone.

Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)

During MDT, the time in Denver is UTC-6 hours. This means that when it is noon in Denver, it is 6 o'clock in the evening in UTC. MDT is often used in conjunction with the term 'Mountain Time (MT)', which refers to the same time zone but without the observance of daylight saving time.

The transition to and from MDT affects the time difference between Denver and other locations that do not follow the same daylight saving time schedule. For example, during a period in the year, the time difference between Denver and Ashburn can be one or three hours, rather than the usual two-hour difference.

Denver's location in the Mountain Time Zone provides advantages for the telecommunications industry. Its position allows for communication with both North American coasts, as well as South America, Europe, and Asia, all within the same business day.

Time difference from Ashburn

Denver, Colorado, is in the Mountain Time Zone, observing Mountain Standard Time (MST) and Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) when daylight saving time is being observed (from early March to early November).

Denver is two hours behind Ashburn. For example, when it was 12:00 PM on Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Denver, it was 02:00 PM in Ashburn.

Time in Denver vs. Time in Ashburn

If you're in Ashburn and want to schedule a meeting or a phone call with someone in Denver, remember that it will be two hours earlier in Denver than it is for you. For example, if it is currently 9:00 AM in Ashburn, it will be 7:00 AM in Denver.

Planning a Call

If you want to reach someone in Denver during their workday, the best time to call them would be between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM your time, which will be 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Denver.

IANA time zone identifier

The IANA time zone database (also known as TZ or TZDB) contains code and data that represent the history of local time for many locations around the world. It is updated periodically to reflect changes made by political bodies to time zone boundaries, UTC offsets, and daylight-saving rules. The database is managed according to the procedures documented in BCP 175.

The IANA time zone identifier for Denver, Colorado, is America/Denver. This identifier reflects the location's time zone and UTC offset. As of January 2025, Denver observes Mountain Standard Time (MST) with a UTC offset of UTC/GMT -7 hours.

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is also observed in Denver. In 2025, DST will begin on March 9, when clocks will be moved forward by one hour, and end on November 2, when clocks will be moved back by one hour.

The IANA time zone database provides essential information for various applications and systems that rely on accurate timekeeping and time zone data. It helps ensure that time-related data is consistent and reliable across different platforms and technologies.

The database is accessible through multiple methods, including HTTP, FTP, and Rsync. It is maintained by the IESG-designated TZ Coordinators, who are responsible for periodically updating the database to reflect any changes in time zone information.

Geographical location

Denver, Colorado, is located in the western United States, in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains, east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Denver is the capital of Colorado and is the state's most populous city, with a population of 715,522 as of the 2020 census. The city is nicknamed the "Mile-High City" as its elevation is exactly one mile (5,280 feet or 1,609 meters) above sea level. Denver is the principal city of the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood metropolitan area, which is the most populous metropolitan area in Colorado, with almost 3 million people.

Denver is situated in the very central part of the state of Colorado and is part of a large urban area that includes the cities of Lakewood and Aurora, as well as a few smaller ones. Denver is located at 39°45'N / 104°59'W, or 39.74°N / 104.98°W, or 39.742043°N / 104.991531°W, depending on the source.

Denver is known for its sunny weather and access to nature. The city is regarded as a cultural hub, with museums and cultural institutions such as the Denver Performing Arts Complex and the Denver Art Museum. The greater Denver area was historically inhabited by several Indigenous peoples, including Apaches, Utes, Cheyennes, Comanches, and Arapahoes.

Denver's downtown district lies about 12 miles (19 kilometers) east of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The city was founded in 1858 during the Gold Rush era and was named after James W. Denver, the governor of the Kansas Territory at the time. Denver has a continental semi-arid climate, with low humidity and around 3,100 hours of sunshine per year. The city experiences four distinct seasons and receives most of its precipitation from April through August.

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