How to Tell Time in Tucson, AZ

In Arizona, we’ve always been mavericks living in the Wild West. So, why wouldn’t our time zone reflect that? Arizona is in Mountain Time along with Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. However, of all these states, Arizona is the only one that doesn’t observe Daylight Savings Time. In fact, it’s the only state in the continental US that doesn’t participate. With the rest of the nation changing their clocks twice a year, you’d think we’d have it easier. Well, that’s not always the case. Find out just how hard it can be to tell the time in Tucson. 

A Brief History of Time (in Arizona)

AZ did initially try out Daylight Savings Time or DST but permanently discontinued using it in 1968. When asked why AZ doesn’t do the “springing forward,” the response is that we don’t need any more afternoon sunlight. We’re hot enough as it is, thank you. We’re usually over 100 degrees. Not all of AZ has opted out of DST. The Navajo Nation does observe it. 

When Time Gets Tricky

What’s the big deal? Well, with video-conferencing, several organizations I’m involved with now have the opportunity to have speakers and participants from all over the country. The starting time is always clearly listed as MST (Mountain Standard Time). However, many just assume it’s MDT (Mountain Daylight Time) when it’s not. All the other states are one hour ahead of California (Pacific Daylight Time), but not AZ. During DST, Tucson is on the same time as PDT. MST = PDT.

Our organization does mention the time discrepancy as often as we can, but some refuse to conceive of it. I recently got in quite the tussle with a man, who insisted that in Tucson, we were in PDT, not MST. And, we were at the same time as Denver. He eventually realized the error of his ways, admitting that Tucson was in MST and that instead of checking the time in Denver, which is in a different state, maybe he should have searched on Tucson or Phoenix (the representative city for AZ time).

A couple of times, our speakers got the times wrong, but fortunately, we were able to adapt. I’m always glad when they check and double-check.

It’s Not Just an Arizona Issue

This isn’t my first experience with time zone issues. When I lived in Kalamazoo, MI, my friends and I would attend events in Indianapolis, IN. This was the nearest big city with cultural events that weren’t Chicago or Detroit (tickets were too expensive there). We learned quickly that when we called the box off (this was before cell phones and the Internet), to ask them what the time was on their wall clock. Some ticket sellers would question us as to why that information was needed, but others knew. At that time in the early 80s, parts of the Indianapolis metropolitan area were in Eastern, and others in Central time zones. Back then, some of the communities refused to participate in daylight savings time. So, the shows could be in buildings in any of four different time zones! Indiana has straightened their time issue, but AZ continues to go its own way.

Mountain Standard Time we are, and Mountain Standard Time we’ll stay!

Interested to learn more about the state I call home? Native animals are always a great place to start. Download one of my desert-dwelling animal workbooks and let the learning begin!