If you’re a horse or equine owner in Colorado, you already know that daylight hours dictate a lot of your barn routine. Whether it’s fitting in a post-work ride, turning out horses before dark, or simply enjoying the golden light of summer evenings, sunset times matter.

On Monday, August 11, Denver will see its last 8 p.m.-or-later sunset until Thursday, May 7, 2026. From that day forward, the sun will set earlier—creeping into the 7 p.m. hour by Friday, September 19 and then into the 6 p.m. hour by October 30.

So, what does this shift mean for your barn life, riding schedule, and horse care? Let’s break it down.

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1. Shorter Evening Riding Windows

If you rely on after-work daylight to ride, lunge, or work with your horse, those hours are about to get tighter. The move from an 8 p.m. sunset to a 7 p.m. one can feel abrupt—especially for those without an arena with lights. Planning your riding schedule earlier in the day, or making the most of weekends, will help you keep consistent saddle time.

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2. Turnout Timing Will Change

Shorter evenings often mean adjusting turnout schedules. If your horses are out during the day and brought in at night, you’ll likely find yourself doing evening chores in lower light sooner than expected. A good barn flashlight or headlamp becomes a must-have by fall.

Here’s a link to the headlamps we use for evening chores: https://amzn.to/3Ha9AiC

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3. Prepping for Fall Lighting

Now’s a great time to check the barn’s lighting setup—both inside and out. Are the aisle lights working? Do you have safe, bright lighting near gates and water troughs? Having these ready now makes the transition into darker evenings much smoother.

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4. Adjusting Feed & Chore Routines

Many horse owners tie feeding times to daylight hours, especially in barns without electricity. As daylight fades earlier, evening feeds may need to be shifted forward. Horses thrive on routine, so making small, gradual changes over the coming weeks will help them adjust.

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5. Enjoying the Magic Hour While It Lasts

Before we trade long summer evenings for crisp autumn nights, take a little extra time to soak up those warm, golden hours with your horse. Whether it’s a quiet hack, a grooming session in the sunshine, or just sitting in the pasture watching them graze, these late-summer moments are worth savoring.

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For Colorado horse owners, sunset times aren’t just trivia—they shape how we ride, care for, and enjoy our horses. As the days get shorter, planning ahead will help you make the most of your time at the barn and keep both you and your horse on a comfortable routine.