Today’s the day for Coloradans and millions of Americans to watch the first total solar eclipse since 2017, with Colorado residents experiencing a partial eclipse from late morning to early afternoon.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun.

Although Colorado is not in the direct path of totality, the path of the 2024 total solar eclipse will cross North America, starting in Mexico, then travel northeastward through the United States and into Canada.

Coloradans will experience approximately between 55% to 78% totality during the two-hour event. All 48 contiguous states on that date will experience at least a partial solar eclipse.

The path of totality will reach communities from Texas to Maine. Durations longer than 4 minutes will stretch from Texas as far north as Economy, Indiana, according to NASA.

An estimated 31.6 million people live in the path of totality for 2024’s eclipse compared to 12 million in the path of the 2017 eclipse, according to NASA. Totality in April’s eclipse will also last longer than it did in 2017.

In 2024, the maximum totality will last up to 4 minutes, 28 seconds, in an area northwest of Torreón, Mexico, whereas the longest period of totality in 2017 was near Carbondale, Illinois, at 2 minutes, 42 seconds.

Best places to watch the solar eclipse in Colorado:

• In the southeast corner of Colorado you will see the greatest amount of totality with viewing around Springfield, Trinidad and Lamar where 75% totality will happen during the solar eclipse.

• In the northwest part of Colorado, including Grand Junction, Dinosaur, Craig and Steamboat Springs, you will see the least amount of the partial solar eclipse, approximately 54-58% totality.

• Around Denver, residents will see approximately 65% totality, with the partial eclipse officially beginning at 11:28 a.m., and ending at 1:53 p.m. The max eclipse will occur at 12:40 p.m. at 65% totality, with the partial eclipse lasting 2 hours, 25 minutes in Denver.

• Colorado’s weather is forecast to be mostly sunny on Monday, April 8, when the eclipse begins, with clear skies in the central and eastern mountains, I-25 corridor and southeastern plains. Some clouds begin to roll in around totality, but viewing should still be possible the farther east and southeast one travels.

Percentage totals for the solar eclipse totality in Colorado:

• Springfield – 76%
• Lamar – 74%
• Limon – 69%
• Alamosa – 68%
• Colorado Springs – 67%
• Denver – 65%
• Durango – 64%
• Boulder – 63%
• Greeley – 63%
• Leadville – 63%
• Fort Collins – 62%
• Grand Junction – 59%
• Steamboat Springs – 59%

If you wish to view the eclipse, wearing properly certified solar glasses are a must for safety concerns. Even though Monday’s eclipse is a partial eclipse in Colorado, you still must wear properly certified solar glasses to avoid damage to your eyes.

Look for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) emblem on glasses when purchasing for viewing of the partial solar eclipse.