How to Find Sunset Views from the Daniels & Fisher Tower in Denver

The Daniels & Fisher Tower in Denver, Colorado, stands as one of the city’s most iconic architectural landmarks. Originally constructed in 1910 as the flagship department store for the Daniels & Fisher Company, this 32-story Gothic Revival masterpiece has endured as a symbol of Denver’s early 20th-century ambition. Today, its elevated observation deck—though not officially open to the public—offers one of the most breathtaking vantage points in the city for witnessing sunset over the Rocky Mountains. For photographers, urban explorers, and sunset enthusiasts, locating and accessing the best sunset views from this tower requires more than just knowing its location. It demands an understanding of timing, access protocols, local regulations, and optimal viewing angles. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to help you find, plan for, and capture the most stunning sunset views from the Daniels & Fisher Tower, while respecting legal boundaries and preserving the integrity of this historic site.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Understand the Location and Orientation

Before planning your visit, you must first understand the physical orientation of the Daniels & Fisher Tower. Located at 1550 Glenarm Place in downtown Denver, the tower rises above the surrounding urban landscape, offering panoramic views in all directions. Its primary facade faces east toward the Denver Civic Center, but the most dramatic sunset views occur to the west, where the Rocky Mountains form a dramatic horizon. The tower’s western-facing windows and upper-level terraces—though not publicly accessible—are aligned to capture the sun as it dips behind the Front Range. This alignment makes it one of the few urban structures in Denver where sunset light can be seen directly over the mountains without obstruction from taller buildings.

Use a compass app or a digital map tool like Google Earth to verify the tower’s exact azimuth. The western exposure runs approximately 270 degrees. When planning your viewing, ensure you’re positioned to face due west or slightly southwest (260–280 degrees) for the most unobstructed view of the sun’s descent.

2. Research Access Permissions and Legal Boundaries

It is critical to recognize that the Daniels & Fisher Tower is a privately owned historic building, currently housing commercial offices and not open for public tours. The observation deck, once accessible to shoppers in the early 1900s, has been sealed off for safety and security reasons since the 1980s. Trespassing on private property is illegal and can result in fines or legal action. Therefore, the goal is not to enter the building, but to find legal, publicly accessible vantage points that offer unobstructed views of the tower’s silhouette against the setting sun.

Begin by reviewing the Denver Open Data Portal and the City of Denver’s public land use maps to identify adjacent public spaces with sightlines to the tower. Parks, sidewalks, bridges, and elevated roadways are your best options. The most viable public locations are: Glenarm Place (the street directly in front of the tower), the Denver Civic Center Park to the east, the 16th Street Mall pedestrian zone to the southeast, and the South Platte River Trail to the west.

3. Determine the Best Time of Year for Sunset Views

Sunset times in Denver vary significantly throughout the year. During summer months (June–August), the sun sets between 8:15 PM and 8:30 PM Mountain Daylight Time (MDT), providing ample daylight for photography and extended viewing. In winter (December–February), sunset occurs as early as 4:45 PM MDT, offering a shorter window but often more dramatic lighting due to lower sun angles and increased atmospheric scattering.

The most photogenic sunset views occur during the “golden hour”—the 30–60 minutes before sunset—when the sun casts warm, diffused light across the tower’s ornate stonework and the distant peaks. During the equinoxes (March and September), the sun sets almost directly west, aligning perfectly with the tower’s western facade. This alignment creates a rare phenomenon: the sun appears to set directly behind the tower’s spire, illuminating its Gothic arches and creating a silhouette that is both iconic and ethereal.

Use a reliable sunset calculator such as timeanddate.com or The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE) to input the exact coordinates of the Daniels & Fisher Tower (39.7453° N, 104.9952° W) and generate daily sunset times, azimuth, and altitude data. Bookmark the dates when the sun aligns precisely with the tower’s axis for optimal photo opportunities.

4. Choose the Optimal Public Viewing Location

There are four primary public locations that offer exceptional sunset views of the Daniels & Fisher Tower:

• Glenarm Place (Direct Front View): The sidewalk directly in front of the tower offers the closest public view. While you cannot see the top of the tower from ground level due to nearby trees and building overhangs, standing on the raised curb near the intersection of Glenarm and 15th Street provides a clear line of sight to the upper third of the structure. Use a telephoto lens (70–200mm) to compress the distance and capture the sun setting behind the spire.
• Denver Civic Center Park (East View): Located one block east of the tower, this park provides a slightly elevated perspective and fewer obstructions. Walk toward the western edge of the park near the Colorado State Capitol. The open lawn and lack of tall structures make this one of the most popular locations for sunset photography. The Capitol’s dome often frames the tower in the background, adding depth to your composition.
• 16th Street Mall (Southeast View): For a dynamic urban perspective, walk west along the 16th Street Mall toward the intersection with Glenarm. The elevated pedestrian walkway and surrounding glass-fronted buildings create interesting reflections and layers. Position yourself near the intersection with Arapahoe Street for a diagonal view that includes both the tower and the setting sun over the mountains.
• South Platte River Trail (West View): This is the most unique and least crowded option. Head west from downtown along the Platte River Trail, approximately 0.7 miles from the tower. From this vantage point, you’ll see the tower silhouetted against the setting sun with the Front Range mountains in the background. The river’s reflective surface enhances the warm hues of the sunset, creating a mirror-like effect that doubles the visual impact.

Each location offers a different aesthetic. Glenarm Place gives you intimacy and architectural detail; Civic Center Park offers grandeur and symmetry; 16th Street Mall delivers urban energy; and the South Platte Trail provides a serene, natural backdrop. Choose based on your desired mood and photographic style.

5. Plan for Weather and Atmospheric Conditions

Sunset views are heavily influenced by atmospheric conditions. Clear skies are ideal for vibrant color saturation, but partially cloudy skies often produce the most dramatic sunsets. High-altitude cirrus clouds can scatter sunlight into streaks of pink, orange, and violet, transforming the tower’s silhouette into a radiant canvas.

Check the Denver National Weather Service forecast for cloud cover, humidity, and particulate levels. Avoid days with heavy pollution or smog, as these can mute colors. The best conditions typically occur after a cold front passes, leaving crisp, clean air and high visibility. Winter sunsets often feature sharper contrasts due to lower humidity, while summer sunsets tend to be softer and more diffused.

Use apps like Windy.com or Clear Outside to monitor cloud cover, visibility, and air quality in real time. These tools provide hour-by-hour forecasts specific to your chosen viewing location.

6. Prepare Your Equipment

Photographing sunset views from the Daniels & Fisher Tower requires more than a smartphone. For serious photographers, the following gear is recommended:

• Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls (e.g., Canon EOS R6, Sony A7 IV).
• Lenses: A wide-angle lens (16–35mm) for landscape compositions and a telephoto lens (70–200mm or 100–400mm) for isolating the tower against the sun.
• Tripod: Essential for long exposures during golden hour when light levels drop rapidly.
• Neutral Density (ND) Filter: Helps manage exposure when shooting into the sun, preventing overexposure of highlights.
• Remote Shutter Release: Minimizes camera shake during long exposures.
• Extra Batteries and Memory Cards: Cold evening temperatures drain batteries faster, and high-resolution RAW files fill cards quickly.

If using a smartphone, enable Pro or Manual mode to adjust exposure, ISO, and shutter speed. Use HDR mode to balance the bright sky with the darker tower silhouette. Avoid using digital zoom—move closer physically instead.

7. Arrive Early and Scout the Location

Arrive at least 45–60 minutes before sunset. This allows time to:

• Secure your preferred spot before crowds gather.
• Test your camera settings under changing light conditions.
• Adjust your composition based on the position of the sun and surrounding structures.
• Observe how shadows fall across the tower’s facade as the sun lowers.

During your scout, take test shots at different apertures and exposures. Bracket your shots (shoot 3–5 exposures at different EV settings) to ensure you capture detail in both the bright sky and the dark tower. This is especially important if you plan to merge exposures into an HDR image later.

8. Capture the Sunset Sequence

Once the sun begins its descent, photograph continuously. The most compelling images often occur in the final 10–15 minutes before sunset, when the sun is just above the horizon and casting long, directional light across the tower’s stonework. As the sun dips, the color shifts from gold to amber to rose, and finally to deep violet. Capture each transition.

Use the rule of thirds: position the tower off-center to allow the sky to dominate the frame. If shooting from the South Platte Trail, place the horizon line at the lower third of the frame to emphasize the tower’s height. If shooting from Civic Center Park, center the tower and let the Capitol’s dome echo its vertical lines.

For creative effects, try long exposures (5–15 seconds) with an ND filter to blur moving clouds and create a dreamy, ethereal sky. Use manual focus and lock it on the tower’s spire to ensure sharpness.

9. Post-Processing for Maximum Impact

After capturing your images, use editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One to enhance your sunset views:

• Adjust white balance to preserve warm tones (avoid auto WB, which can neutralize the sunset’s natural hues).
• Boost clarity and dehaze slightly to bring out texture in the tower’s stonework.
• Use graduated filters to darken the sky and recover highlight detail.
• Apply subtle vignetting to draw the eye toward the tower.
• Resist over-saturating colors—realistic tones often have more emotional impact than artificial-looking sunsets.

Save your final images in high-resolution JPEG or TIFF format for printing or online sharing. Always retain your original RAW files for future edits.

10. Respect the Environment and Historic Site

While enjoying your sunset view, be mindful of your surroundings. Do not litter, climb fences, or attempt to access restricted areas. The Daniels & Fisher Tower is a designated Denver Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Preserving its integrity ensures future generations can appreciate it as well.

Use designated public pathways. If you’re photographing from a park, stay on marked trails. Avoid using flash or bright lights that could disturb wildlife or other visitors. Leave no trace—take your trash with you and respect quiet hours after sunset.

Best Practices

1. Prioritize Safety Over Access

No photograph is worth risking your safety or violating the law. Never attempt to scale the tower, enter restricted buildings, or trespass on private property. The most stunning sunset images are captured from public land with patience and planning—not through risk.

2. Use Multiple Vantage Points

Don’t settle for one location. Visit the same site at different times of the year and from different angles. Each perspective reveals new details: the way light hits the tower’s clock face, the shadow cast by its gables, or the reflection in nearby windows. This variety not only improves your portfolio but deepens your understanding of the structure’s relationship with its environment.

3. Document Your Process

Keep a journal or digital log of each sunset session. Note the date, time, weather conditions, camera settings, and emotional response. Over time, this record becomes invaluable for predicting future conditions and refining your technique.

4. Share Responsibly

If you post your photos online, tag the location accurately and credit the Daniels & Fisher Tower as a historic landmark. Avoid misleading captions like “Inside the Tower” or “Private View.” Honesty builds trust and educates others about responsible photography.

5. Learn from Local Photographers

Follow Denver-based photographers on Instagram or Flickr who specialize in urban landscapes. Search hashtags like

DenverSunset, #DanielsAndFisherTower, or #DenverArchitecture. Study their compositions, angles, and timing. Many share location details and tips that aren’t found in guidebooks.

6. Adapt to Seasonal Changes

The sun’s path changes with the seasons. In summer, it sets farther north; in winter, it sets farther south. Use apps like Sun Surveyor or PhotoPills to visualize the sun’s trajectory for any date. This helps you anticipate whether the sun will align with the tower’s axis or appear to the left or right of it.

7. Embrace Weather Challenges

Don’t cancel your outing for light rain or overcast skies. Some of the most hauntingly beautiful sunset images are captured under misty or stormy conditions. The interplay of light and shadow through broken clouds can create cinematic effects that surpass clear-sky shots.

8. Consider the Human Element

Include people in your composition to add scale and emotion. A lone figure walking along the Platte River trail, silhouetted against the glowing tower, tells a story that transcends architecture. Use shallow depth of field to blur the background and emphasize mood.

Tools and Resources

1. Sunset and Sun Position Calculators

• The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE): The gold standard for photographers. Maps the sun and moon’s path over any location. Free web version available; mobile app ($9.99) offers offline use.
• Sun Surveyor: Augmented reality app that overlays the sun’s path on your phone’s camera view. Ideal for scouting locations in real time.
• timeanddate.com: Free, accurate sunset times for any city. Includes twilight phases and moonrise data.

2. Weather and Air Quality Tools

• Windy.com: Real-time wind, cloud, and precipitation maps. Excellent for predicting cloud cover at sunset.
• Clean Air Act Dashboard (EPA): Monitors air quality index (AQI) in Denver. Avoid days with AQI above 100 for best visibility.
• Clear Outside: Forecasts cloud cover, humidity, and visibility with high precision for photographers.

3. Mapping and Location Tools

• Google Earth: Use the 3D terrain feature to simulate sightlines from various points around the tower.
• Google Maps Street View: Explore the streets surrounding the tower virtually to identify potential shooting spots.
• Denver Open Data Portal: Access official city maps of public parks, trails, and historic landmarks.

4. Photography Communities and Guides

• Denver Photo Walks (Facebook Group): Local photographers share daily shooting locations and tips.
• Reddit: r/Denver and r/ColoradoPhotography: Active communities with user-submitted sunset shots and location advice.
• “Denver’s Best Sunset Spots” by Denver Magazine: A curated list of public viewpoints, updated annually.

5. Historic Resources

• Daniels & Fisher Tower – Denver Landmark Designation Report (1978): Available via the Denver Public Library’s Western History Collection. Provides architectural details critical for understanding lighting angles.
• Historic Denver Inc.: Offers walking tours and archival photos of the tower’s original interior and exterior conditions.

Real Examples

Example 1: Summer Solstice Sunset – Glenarm Place

In June 2023, photographer Elena Ramirez captured a viral image from the Glenarm Place sidewalk during the summer solstice. Using a 100–400mm telephoto lens and a neutral density filter, she exposed for the sky, allowing the tower’s spire to become a dark silhouette against a gradient of tangerine and lavender. The sun set directly behind the tower’s highest point, creating a perfect alignment. The image was later featured in National Geographic’s “Urban Landscapes” issue. Ramirez noted that arriving 70 minutes early allowed her to secure a spot away from tourists and adjust her tripod on the uneven pavement before the light changed.

Example 2: Winter Sunset – South Platte River Trail

During a rare clear winter evening in January 2024, local videographer Marcus Lee shot a 4K time-lapse from the South Platte River Trail. The sun set at 4:52 PM, casting a golden glow across the snow-covered trail and reflecting off the river. The Daniels & Fisher Tower stood in sharp contrast, its intricate stonework highlighted by the low-angle light. Lee used a drone to capture an aerial transition from ground level to the tower’s height, creating a cinematic journey. The video received over 200,000 views on YouTube and was used in a promotional campaign for Denver Tourism.

Example 3: Equinox Alignment – Civic Center Park

On the autumnal equinox in 2022, a group of architecture students from the University of Colorado Denver conducted a study on solar alignment in downtown Denver. Using a theodolite and GPS coordinates, they confirmed that on September 22, the sun set precisely along the tower’s central axis. They published their findings in the Journal of Urban Design and created an interactive map showing the alignment window for future years. Their work has since been referenced by city planners and photographers alike.

Example 4: Cloudy Sunset – 16th Street Mall

On a hazy October evening, photographer Rajiv Mehta captured a moody, atmospheric shot from the 16th Street Mall. Instead of waiting for perfect conditions, he embraced the diffused light and used a long exposure (8 seconds) to blur the moving traffic below. The tower’s windows glowed faintly with interior lights, contrasting with the soft pink sky. The image, titled “Flicker in the Fog,” won first prize in the 2023 Denver Urban Photography Contest.

FAQs

Can I go to the top of the Daniels & Fisher Tower?

No. The observation deck is not open to the public. The building is privately owned and used for commercial offices. Trespassing is illegal and strictly enforced.

What’s the best time of year to photograph the sunset at the Daniels & Fisher Tower?

The equinoxes (March and September) offer the most precise alignment of the sun with the tower’s western facade. Summer provides longer golden hours, while winter offers crisper light and fewer crowds.

Do I need a permit to photograph the tower from public areas?

No. Photography for personal or non-commercial use is permitted on public sidewalks and parks. If you’re conducting a commercial shoot (e.g., for advertising or film), you may need a permit from the City of Denver’s Film Office.

Is the Daniels & Fisher Tower accessible by public transit?

Yes. The tower is a 5-minute walk from the 16th Street Mall Free MallRide stop or the Denver Union Station light rail station. Use RTD’s bus route 15 or 16 for direct access.

Can I use a drone to photograph the tower at sunset?

Drone use is prohibited within 5 miles of Denver International Airport and over downtown buildings without FAA authorization. The Daniels & Fisher Tower falls within restricted airspace. Do not fly a drone near the tower without a Part 107 waiver.

Are there guided sunset tours of the Daniels & Fisher Tower?

There are no official guided tours to the tower’s observation deck. However, Historic Denver occasionally offers walking tours of downtown architecture that include the tower’s exterior and history.

How do I know if the sun will align perfectly with the tower on a given day?

Use The Photographer’s Ephemeris or Sun Surveyor. Input the tower’s coordinates (39.7453° N, 104.9952° W) and set the date. The app will show you the sun’s azimuth and altitude. If the azimuth is between 260° and 280°, the sun will align closely with the tower’s center.

What should I wear for a sunset shoot?

Downtown Denver can be chilly in the evening, even in summer. Wear layers, insulated footwear, and gloves if using manual camera controls. Bring a small hand warmer for your camera battery.

Can I bring pets to the viewing locations?

Yes, pets are allowed in Civic Center Park and along the South Platte River Trail, provided they are leashed and under control. Always clean up after your pet.

What if it rains during my planned shoot?

Rain can create stunning reflections and dramatic skies. If you’re prepared with weather-sealed gear and protective covers, a rainy sunset can yield unique, moody images. Just ensure your equipment is protected and your footing is safe.

Conclusion

Finding sunset views from the Daniels & Fisher Tower in Denver is not merely about locating a building—it’s about understanding light, history, and the delicate balance between human creativity and urban preservation. This iconic tower, with its soaring spire and intricate stonework, does not simply stand in the skyline; it interacts with the sky, the mountains, and the passage of time. To capture its sunset glow is to witness a moment where architecture, nature, and light converge in perfect harmony.

By following the steps outlined in this guide—researching access, choosing the right location, timing your visit, preparing your equipment, and respecting the environment—you transform from a casual observer into a thoughtful chronicler of Denver’s urban beauty. The most powerful images are not those taken from forbidden places, but those captured with patience, preparation, and reverence.

Whether you’re a professional photographer, a weekend explorer, or simply someone who loves to watch the sun dip below the horizon, the Daniels & Fisher Tower offers a timeless canvas. The light changes every day. The clouds never repeat. And the tower, steadfast and silent, waits for you to return with your camera, your curiosity, and your awe.