Look up, Colorado! 🌕🐺 The first full moon of 2026 isn’t just a Wolf Moon—it’s a massive Supermoon, and it’s peaking tonight!
THE 2026 WOLF SUPERMOON: A COLORADO WINTER SPECTACLE
Tonight, the skies over the Centennial State are playing host to a rare celestial double-feature. The first full moon of the year—the Wolf Moon—is rising as a massive Supermoon. Because we are at a higher elevation with a thinner atmosphere, Colorado offers some of the clearest, most brilliant views of this lunar event in the country.
Whether you’re in the heart of Denver or tucked away in a mountain cabin, here is everything you need to know to catch the 2026 Wolf Moon at its absolute peak.
🕒 WHEN TO LOOK UP: COLORADO LOCAL TIMES
The moon reaches its official peak of illumination on Saturday, January 3, 2026. However, for the most dramatic “Big Moon” effect, you want to catch it during moonrise. This is when the “Moon Illusion” makes the orb look impossibly large against the horizon.
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COLORADO LOCAL TIME (MST) |
| Official Full Peak | 3:03 AM (Sat Morning) |
| Primary Viewing (Moonrise) | 5:09 PM (Saturday Night) |
| Secondary Viewing (Moonrise) | 6:27 PM (Sunday Night) |
Pro-Tip: Arrive at your viewing spot 20 minutes early. In Colorado, the moon often “rises” over the eastern plains, but if you are in the mountains, it may take longer to clear the local ridges.
📍 TOP COLORADO VIEWING LOCATIONS
To see the Supermoon in all its glory, you need a clear, unobstructed view of the Eastern horizon.
1. The Front Range (Denver/Boulder)
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Cheesman Park (Denver): The high, open lawns provide a perfect vantage point as the moon climbs over the city skyline.
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NCAR Table Mesa (Boulder): Get slightly above the city lights for a crisp, high-altitude view.
2. The Iconic Backdrop
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Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs): This is the ultimate photography spot. The white moonlight hitting the red rock spires with Pikes Peak behind you is a world-class sight.
3. Dark Sky Sanctuaries
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Westcliffe & Silver Cliff: As Colorado’s first International Dark Sky Communities, the lack of light pollution here makes the moon look like a literal spotlight in the sky.
🐺 THE LEGEND OF THE WOLF MOON
The name “Wolf Moon” originates from Native American and European folklore, marking the time of year when wolves howled most fiercely in the deep midwinter.
The Colorado Connection: If you want to experience the name literally, the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center in Divide often hosts “Full Moon Tours.” There is nothing quite like hearing a pack howl while a Supermoon hangs directly overhead in the thin mountain air.
📸 CAPTURING THE SPECTACLE: PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
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Spot the Planet: Look just to the lower right of the moon tonight. That bright “star” is actually Jupiter. It will be glowing brilliantly alongside the moon all night long.
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The “Moon Illusion”: Shoot your photos exactly at 5:09 PM. When the moon is framed by trees, buildings, or the horizon, your brain perceives it as much larger than when it is high in the sky.
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Camera Settings: Use a tripod! The cold air makes hands shake. Start with ISO 100, f/11, and a shutter speed of 1/125.
❄️ WINTER WEATHER WARNING
January in Colorado is beautiful but biting. If you’re heading out tonight:
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Layer Up: Temperatures drop 10-15 degrees the moment the sun goes down.
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Battery Life: Cold weather drains phone and camera batteries rapidly. Keep your devices in an interior pocket close to your body heat until the moment you are ready to use them.
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Road Conditions: If you are heading to a mountain trailhead for a view, check for black ice on the trek back down after dark.