Time difference between Chicago and Denver
Chicago is 1 hour ahead of Denver all year round.
Live time in Chicago and Denver
Why is the time different?
Chicago and Denver are in different time zones. The Earth turns, so the Sun reaches one place before the other. Chicago sees each new day first.In January Chicago is on CST and Denver is on MST. In July they are on CDT and MDT.
- In 2026, the clocks in Chicago go forward on March 8 and back on November 1.
- In 2026, the clocks in Denver go forward on March 8 and back on November 1.
- The gap between them never changes during the year.
A school day in Chicago and Denver
What are children doing in the other city? (We use 8:30 am to 3 pm for school, and January clocks.)
- When school starts in Chicago (8:30 am), it is 7:30 am in Denver, and children there are having breakfast and getting ready for school.
- When school ends in Chicago (3 pm), it is 2 pm in Denver, and children there are at school.
- When children go to bed in Chicago (8 pm), it is 7 pm in Denver, and children there are having dinner with their family.
- When school finishes in Denver (3 pm), it is 4 pm in Chicago, and children there are heading home or doing after-school activities.
The two school days overlap for about 5.5 hours. For the rest of the day, one class is in lessons while the other is not.
The same moment, hour by hour
Each box is one hour on Chicago's clock. The top row shows Chicago. The bottom row shows what is happening in Denver at that very same time.
Best time to call
- All year: both cities are at work from 10 am to 5 pm in Chicago (9 am to 4 pm in Denver).
Today, hour by hour (green = working hours for both, amber = fine for a call):
| Chicago | Denver | Call? |
|---|
Chicago time to Denver time
| Chicago | Denver |
|---|---|
| 6 am | 5 am |
| 9 am | 8 am |
| 12 pm | 11 am |
| 3 pm | 2 pm |
| 6 pm | 5 pm |
| 9 pm | 8 pm |
Quick quiz: Chicago and Denver
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about Chicago and Denver time
What is the time difference between Chicago and Denver?
Chicago is 1 hour ahead of Denver all year round.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind Denver?
Chicago is ahead of Denver in January. Ahead means its clocks show a later time.
What time is it in Denver when it is 12 noon in Chicago?
In January it is 11 am in Denver. In July it is 11 am.
Are children at school at the same time in Chicago and Denver?
The two school days overlap for about 5.5 hours. For the rest of the day, one class is in lessons while the other is not. When school ends in Chicago (3 pm), it is 2 pm in Denver, and children there are at school.
What is the best time to call between Chicago and Denver?
All year: both cities are at work from 10 am to 5 pm in Chicago (9 am to 4 pm in Denver).
Does the time difference between Chicago and Denver change?
No. Both places move their clocks together, or neither does, so the gap stays the same.