How To Catch That Pink Glow: Grand Junction, Colorado’s Sunset Guide

One of the coolest things I love about living in Grand Junction is the way the skies seem to put on a show that can often appear more like watercolors than weather.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the mix of high desert geography, clean mountain air, and science, which work together to give Grand Junction sunsets those stunning pastel tones.

Why Grand Junction Skies Turn Pink

Western Colorado life never fails to deliver surprise after surprise, the longer you live here. Life at 4,600 feet of elevation means a thinner atmosphere that lets more vivid colors appear. The Bookcliffs, Grand Mesa, and the Plateau help frame and sharpen the view as the sun goes down.

In Western Colorado, Rayleigh scattering results in the loss of short blue wavelengths, leaving us with skies of red, orange, and pink, the recipe for a watercolor sky. This effect is easy to over a cloud canvas, while dust or even wildfire smoke can amp the glow even further.

Best Locations for a Pink Sunset

Planning, timing, location, and a little bit of luck are all part of catching Grand Junction’s skies when they are pinkest. The best colors are visible about 10 to 15 minutes after sunset. For wide-open views, try the Fruita side of the Colorado National Monument, or capture the glow at Lands End Observatory on the Grand Mesa. In town, locations along the Riverfront Trail can make for a great foreground, with the pastel skies stretching across the valley.

Photography Tips for Capturing the Glow

To see Grand Junction’s pink glow at its best, aim for the golden hour into twilight. Wide-angle lenses help capture a full sweep of the sky, while a tripod can help with longer exposure to show off more subtleties. Framing the mesas, cliffs, and rivers can offer some spectacular contrast against the sky, which are the kinds of photos we all wish for.

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