Observatories are home to some of the biggest and most impressive telescopes in the world. As many amateur astronomers know, there are numerous ways to experience the night sky beyond looking through a telescope in your own backyard. Colorado has an impressive number of observatories that offer a wide variety of star parties, tours, and observatory programs that will expand your knowledge of astronomy and your love of the night sky, whether you are new to astronomy or have been in the hobby for years.
For your convenience, we have compiled an alphabetical list of observatories in Colorado that offer programs for the public.
Disclaimer: This information was collected from the observatories’ websites in February 2022. Some information may be subject to change if the websites are updated. If interested in visiting one of the listed observatories, please contact the observatory for the latest information before you visit.
Chamberlin Observatory
2930 E Warren Ave, Denver, CO 80210 - (303) 871-5172
Formerly known as The University of Denver’s Historic Chamberlin Observatory, the Chamberlin Observatory is operated by The Denver Astronomical Society (DAS) and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located in Observatory Park in Southeast Denver.
Image Credit: University of Denver College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Telescope
This observatory features a prized 1894 Alvan Clark-Saegmuller 20” refracting telescope.
Visiting
For those who wish to visit the observatory, The Denver Astronomical Society hosts monthly and weekly events such as Public Nights and Open Houses.
Public Nights require reservations and start with a multimedia presentation by a DAS lecturer. Visitors can then observe the Moon, stars, star clusters, planets, galaxies, nebulae, and more through the historic 20” telescope. These are still offered on cloudy nights, though the telescopic views will be replaced with an in-depth tour of the observatory. Visitors should check out the observatory’s calendar if they are interested.
Open Houses are offered almost every month and consist of telescope views through the historic telescope and informational stations catered to those who wish to know more about astronomy equipment. There is an admission fee for these Open House events.
Las Brisas Observatory
156 Calle De La Lluvia, Florissant, CO 80816
The Las Brisas Observatory is located eleven miles west of Pikes Peak, Colorado, and sits at an elevation of 8,582 ft. The observatory was built in 1979 and has been in constant operation since its construction. This unique observatory is currently owned by Paul WØRW who found the building abandoned and purchased it from the man who built it shortly after his discovery. One of the unique characteristics of this observatory is that the dome turret rotates on golf balls!
Image Credit: Paul Signorelli
Telescope
The equipment available at the Las Brisas Observatory includes a 14” Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and an 8” Schmidt camera.
Visiting
Those interested in visiting this observatory should email Mr. WØRW at [email protected] for more information.
Little Thompson Observatory
850 Spartan Ave, Berthoud, CO 80513 - (970) 613-7793
This observatory, located in Berthoud, Colorado, aims to aid people of all ages in learning about the universe by offering opportunities to participate in astronomy first-hand. The observatory is an all-volunteer community organization that runs only on donations.
Image Credit: Little Thompson Observatory
Telescopes and Star Walls
The telescopes/star walls at the Little Thompson Observatory include a SolarMax 60, LTO Star Walls, a 6” telescope, a 24” Mt. Wilson telescope, an 18” Tinsley telescope, a 6” Astrophysics telescope, the LTO Radio Telescope Antenna Project, an LTO Radio Telescope Dish, and a 3.8m Radio Dish.
Visiting
Being an observatory with a mission to serve the public, this observatory offers Public Star Nights as well as scheduled events and group visits. The Public Star Nights do not require a reservation. On the third Friday of each month (excluding July), Public Star Nights are kicked off by a presentation and a guided tour of the night sky. The doors open at 7 pm and the program starts at 7:30 pm. After the presentation, the larger telescopes are available for observation of the sky. The observatory is available to visit five days a week from August through June. There are scheduled sessions that visitors can attend to learn about various astronomical topics and take guided tours of the skies using the larger telescopes. For groups, reservations are required and access to the 6”, 18”, and 24” telescopes are available.
Sommers-Bausch Observatory
2475 Kittredge Loop Drive, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309 - 303-492-5631
Located on the University of Colorado Boulder campus in Boulder, Colorado, the Sommers-Bausch Observatory (SBO) is manned by the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences. This observatory was established to aid undergraduate and graduate students with astronomical research.
Image Credit: Paul Signorelli
Telescopes and Equipment
The observatory has a 24” Boiler & Chivens Telescope, two 20” Planewave Telescopes, a 20” Telescope Installation, a Heliostat, two 8” Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes (one being Celestron and the second Meade), an 8” Schmidt camera from Celestron, two 5” Meade ETX-125 ECs, two 5” Schmidt-Cassegrain Celestron telescopes, a portable 4” Edmund Scientifics Astroscan 2001 telescope, tripod-mounted binoculars, solar telescopes, three 3.5” Maksutov-Cassegrain Questars, and the world’s largest starwheel. It also houses retired telescopes such as 18” and 16” DFM telescopes and a 10.5” Bausch Refracting telescope.
Visiting
The SBO offers Public Open Houses that are held on Friday evenings at 8 pm (9 pm during Daylight Savings Time) when CU classes are in session. There is no admission fee to attend the Open House events, and the event typically lasts one to three hours (depending on the weather).
The observatory also offers Field Trips and Tours to the public when possible. Daytime field trips and tours last 45-60 minutes and will take visitors to see the 24” Boiler & Chivens telescope as well as two 20” Planewave telescopes and the solar telescopes. These tours may include hands-on astronomy activities and labs. In order to set up a field trip, a request form must be filled out.
For specialized tours, such as the ones for scouts, private groups, and organizations, a request form must also be filled out.
Star Haven Observatory
1155 Yellow Jacket Rd, Strasburg, CO 80136 - (720) 583-4724
The Star Haven Observatory & IAAS Research Facility is a school located near Strasburg, Colorado. The school is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1978 by Professor Jim Moravec. The observatory consists of three optical observatories, a large research classroom, and a meeting facility.
Telescopes
The observatory is home to two solar telescopes: a Coronado with a hydrogen alpha filter and an Orion White Light telescope.
Visiting
The Star Haven Observatory participates in events such as the STEM Rocks Fair where they give presentations at Peterson Air Force Base for military families. They also give presentations to elementary students and host an outreach event, extending to Limon, Colorado.
U.S. Air Force Academy Observatory
2120 Cadet Dr, Air Force Academy, CO 80840 - (719) 333-3361
The Astronomical Research Group and Observatory (ARGO) at the United States Air Force Academy maintains the USAFA Observatory and supports the worldwide Falcon Telescope Network (FTN). It is located north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado.
Image Credit: Paul Signorelli
Telescopes
The USAF Academy Observatory houses a 24” and a 16” telescope.
Visiting
ARGO hosts STEM outreach activities at the USAF Academy Observatory for Scout groups, school groups, and teachers. Those interested in visiting the observatory should contact Dr. Devin J. Della-Rose at (719) 333-3266 or [email protected] for more information.
Interested in finding an observatory or planetarium in your state? Check out our Astronomy Hub!
This Article was Last Updated on 07/25/2023
