In Colorado, the Ursids are best around 5:38 AM on the night of the peak (December 22, 2026), when the radiant stands about 48° high. Under a truly dark sky you could see roughly 7 meteors per hour. Astronomical darkness runs from 6:23 PM to 5:46 AM, and the moon will be 97% lit and above the horizon at the best time.
Best time
5:38 AM
local time
Est. rate
7/h
dark sky
Radiant
48° high
toward NNE
Moon
97%
up
Dark places to watch the Ursids in Colorado
| Location | Type | Est. Bortle |
|---|---|---|
| Nucla | Dark Sky Place | 1 |
| Norwood | Dark Sky Place | 1 |
| Naturita | Dark Sky Place | 1 |
| Dinosaur National Monument | Dark Sky Place | 1 |
| Silver Cliff | Dark Sky Place | 2 |
| Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park | Dark Sky Place | 2 |
| Westcliffe | Dark Sky Place | 2 |
| Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve | Dark Sky Place | 2 |
| Mesa Verde National Park | Dark Sky Place | 2 |
| Mancos State Park | State Park | 2 |