Southern Colorado enters darkest time of the year with earlier sunsets

Southern Colorado has officially entered the darkest period of the year, with the sun now setting before 5 p.m. — a pattern that will continue until January 14 — 10 weeks away.

The region still experiences significant daylight loss during November. Colorado Springs loses about 52 minutes of daylight this month, while Pueblo loses slightly more than 50 minutes. By the end of November, Southern Colorado's sunsets will be close to the earliest of the year, with the actual earliest sunset occurring on December 6.

Compared to the summer solstice — the longest day of the year — our days are currently four and a half hours shorter. By the winter solstice, they'll be nearly five and a half hours shorter.

KOAA

However, the daylight loss could be much worse in other parts of the country. Norther