Why Did Colorado See Stunning Aurora Borealis Displays?

Many of us had already gone to bed when the skies over Western Colorado turned neon pink, green, and purple this week, so if you missed it, you are not alone.

Skywatchers say it was the most vivid display of the northern lights over the Grand Valley in years. Scroll through the gallery below to see some of the best auroras from Grand Junction to Montrose.

Look: Amazing Northern Lights Photos From Colorado's Grand Valley

Heads up, Western Colorado: the northern lights came calling, and if you missed the show earlier this week, scroll through the gallery below to see just how colorful the skies became over the Grand Valley on the evening of November 11.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

A Brief History of Auroras in Colorado

Connor McLeish

Colorado isn’t usually the first location people think of when picturing the aurora borealis in the sky. Occasionally, a strong geomagnetic storm will push the lights far enough south for some to see here in the Centennial State, usually at the highest elevations, according to the Longmont Leader.

Just over the last couple of years, the Northern Lights have appeared more frequently in Colorado than they used to. BlackCanyonAstronomy.com notes that charged particles from coronal mass ejections triggered auroras in May and October 2024. However, CBS reports many in the state say the most recent display was the most intense and far-reaching than anything in recent memory.

Why the Northern Lights Flared Up This Week

Carrie Gerstner Dominey

Coronal Mass Ejections, or CMEs, are bursts of solar particles released from the sun that slam into the Earth’s magnetic field. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center says these CMEs trigger G4 (severe) geomagnetic storms, which contain particles that collide with gases high in the atmosphere. This is what creates the glowing colors that lit up our skies last week, with energized oxygen and nitrogen. NASA states that the more intense the storm, the further auroras can travel to lower latitudes.

Could Solar Storms Be Dangerous for Colorado?

When a G4 geomagnetic storm gets this strong, it can raise concerns. G4-level activity can interfere with satellites, high-frequency radios, and even disruptions to power grids. While the colors are incredible, they are not without consequences. Data Transmission Network says that in Colorado, it’s not uncommon for GPS glitches to be experienced by those viewing the Northern Lights from the highest elevations.

Mindi Bradley