Image Source: The Colorado Sun
Time could become a major issue for Colorado’s ski industry if Congress moves forward with legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent. Resort operators and trade groups are urging U.S. senators to reject the Sunshine Protection Act of 2026, arguing that darker winter mornings could create safety hazards and damage mountain-town economies.
The House passed the measure July 14 in a 308-117 vote. The bill would end the twice-yearly clock changes and establish permanent daylight saving time across the country. Supporters say the change would provide more evening sunlight, improve public safety and encourage economic activity.
But ski resort leaders say the extra evening light would not compensate for the loss of sunlight before work begins. Many resort employees start their shifts hours before skiers arrive, often preparing lifts, trails and avalanche-control areas in darkness.
Why Colorado Ski Resorts Oppose Permanent Time
A Sept. 10 letter to 19 U.S. senators was signed by five resort trade groups and two resort companies representing 115 ski areas in 10 states. The groups included Colorado Ski Country, along with resort organizations from Utah, Vermont and the Pacific Northwest. Alterra Mountain Co. and Powdr also joined the opposition.
The letter said a permanent daylight saving schedule could push sunrise past 8 a.m. in Colorado, Utah and Vermont. At resorts farther west, sunrise could occur after 9 a.m. Industry officials warned that the later light would affect snowmaking, grooming, lift inspections and avalanche mitigation.
“Operating safely in alpine environments requires adequate morning sunlight,” the groups wrote.
Resort crews typically begin work well before a 9 a.m. opening. Ski patrollers may need to conduct avalanche-control operations, while mechanics inspect lifts and grooming teams prepare ski runs. Snowmakers and other employees also rely on early-morning hours to get terrain ready for guests.
A Critical Safety Concern for Mountain Operations
Colorado regulations require surface blasting operations to take place during daylight. That rule could delay avalanche mitigation after a major snowfall if workers must wait for the sun to rise before conducting safety work.
The resort industry also argues that morning and afternoon daylight are not interchangeable. Shifting resort hours later could mean opening at 10 a.m. and closing at 5 p.m., but that schedule may not preserve the same value for visitors or businesses.
According to the industry letter, resort employees perform some of their most demanding work in the morning. Moving those tasks to the afternoon could mean working in flat light as skiers leave the mountain to avoid traffic. It could also reduce the number of usable hours on the slopes.
Resort officials said a daily schedule running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. would effectively remove two weeks from the peak winter season. That could affect lodging providers, restaurants, retailers, transportation companies and other businesses that depend on ski traffic.
Supporters Say Evening Sunlight Would Help
Supporters of the Sunshine Protection Act point to public opinion polls showing that many Americans dislike changing their clocks twice a year. An Associated Press poll conducted in October 2025 found that only 12% of respondents supported the current clock-changing system. A Gallup poll in March 2025 found that 54% wanted to eliminate the twice-yearly changes.
U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie of Kentucky, one of the bill’s supporters, said permanent daylight saving time could boost economic activity and improve public safety. The House vote included support from Republicans and Democrats.
However, the proposal has faced opposition before. The Senate approved an identical bill in 2022, but the measure later stalled in the House. Some critics also believe the country should adopt permanent standard time instead, which would preserve more morning daylight for workers and students.
Patrollers Offer a More Measured View
Not every ski patroller considers the legislation a serious threat. Emil Sante, a longtime patroller at Telluride Ski Resort, said resort schedules already change as daylight hours shift throughout the season.
“We actually adjust the opening and closing times as the days grow longer and we have done this as long as I can remember,” Sante said.
Reid Pritchett, president of the Crested Butte Professional Ski Patrol Association, said the union has no official position. He noted that patrol operations are already limited by daylight requirements and state and federal regulations.
For now, the debate remains focused on whether later evening light is worth darker winter mornings. The decision could have consequences far beyond clocks, influencing ski-area safety, resort schedules and the economic health of Colorado’s mountain communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Time Change
What is the Sunshine Protection Act of 2026?
The bill would end the twice-yearly clock changes and make daylight saving time permanent nationwide.
Why do Colorado ski resorts oppose the proposal?
Resort groups say later winter sunrises could make avalanche control, lift inspections, grooming and other early-morning operations more dangerous or delayed.
When did the House pass the bill?
The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act on July 14, 2026, by a vote of 308-117.
Could the legislation affect mountain-town businesses?
Yes. Resort operators warn that shorter or delayed ski hours could reduce visitor spending at hotels, restaurants, shops and transportation businesses.
