Entry No. 64 — the Pueblo file — filed under: after-dark
CSU-Pueblo Observatory Public Night (Southern Colorado Astronomical Society)
The Southern Colorado Astronomical Society throws open the CSU-Pueblo observatory and its 22-inch telescope to the public for free, with club members lining the walk up Observatory Hill with smaller scopes pointed at planets and deep-sky objects. Sessions typically run from full dark until around 11 p.m., and overcast skies cancel the night, so it is genuinely weather-dependent. The same society also runs monthly meetings on the CSU-Pueblo campus for anyone who wants more. Public nights are weather-permitting and not always frequent, so check ahead before driving out.
The story
Out near the edge of the CSU-Pueblo campus, perched above the terrain on Observatory Hill, a crew of dedicated stargazers regularly cuts off the white light and hands the view over to whoever shows up. The Southern Colorado Astronomical Society (SCAS) hosts these open public nights, unlocking the campus observatory dome to reveal a massive 22-inch telescope that pulls in deep-sky targets you would otherwise need academic clearance to see.
The real draw here is the decentralized community that takes over the access path before you even reach the main dome. Society members set up their personal optics along the trail up Observatory Hill, pointing smaller scopes at planetary bands and distant nebulae so you can trace celestial objects step by step. You didn't hear it from us, but if you want to understand dark-sky optics, find the volunteer standing beside a custom Dobsonian in the dark; they will gladly talk shop until the weather turns.
What it's like
Park near the Pueblo Raptor Center parking lot near 4028 W. 11th Street and give your eyes a few minutes to adapt to the dark before making the walk up Observatory Hill. You'll pass a gauntlet of amateur astronomers along the path, each waiting to share a specific planet or star cluster through their personal telescopes before you reach the queue for the 22-inch main scope. Because the optics require clear skies, overcast weather cancels the night entirely—always confirm the session is on with SCAS before driving out.
The move: Walk up Observatory Hill together after dark and take turns peering through the 22-inch scope at Saturn's rings and a galaxy or two, then linger at the volunteers' smaller telescopes along the path.
📍 Before you go Free; held on a scheduled evening (commonly last Friday of the month, weather permitting). Overcast skies cancel. Confirm the next date with SCAS before driving out.
- 📍 Belmont / CSU-Pueblo, Pueblo
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Observatory Hill, near 4028 W. 11th St / Pueblo Raptor Center parking lot, Pueblo, CO
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Lake Pueblo State Park Stargazing Night — If you want another round of dark-sky observation, SCAS also partners with Lake Pueblo State Park for visitor center presentations and telescope viewings.
- Pueblo Neon Alley — Trade distant starlight for a ground-level glow by walking through downtown Pueblo's alleyway lined with restored vintage neon signs.
- Bite Me Cake Company / Flip A Coin Arcade Bar — Head downtown after 11 p.m. to swap quiet hilltop stargazing for a basement arcade bar with craft drinks and retro cabinets.
- Colorado State Hospital Museum (CMHIP Museum) — Pair an evening on Observatory Hill with a daylight trip to explore Pueblo's institutional medical history on an active hospital campus.
Good to know
Is there any fee to attend a public observatory night?
No, public nights hosted by the Southern Colorado Astronomical Society at the CSU-Pueblo Observatory are completely free.
Where should I park to access the observatory?
Park in or around the Pueblo Raptor Center parking lot near 4028 W. 11th St and follow the pedestrian path up Observatory Hill.
What happens if it is cloudy or overcast?
Cloud cover cancels the public night automatically. Check the forecast and verify with SCAS before heading out.
What time do public nights usually take place?
Sessions generally start once full dark arrives and run until around 11 p.m., typically scheduled on specific evenings like the last Friday of the month.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov · earthsky.org · Yelp
last checked: 2026-06-23