Visitors To Denver's 16th Street Mall 'Sound Off' About Daylight Saving Time

By Chris Spears

DENVER (CBS4) - Love it or hate it, get ready to set your clocks forward one hour this weekend.

Sunday marks the beginning of Daylight Saving Time for most of the United States.

We visited Denver's 16th Street Mall during Friday's lunch hour to see how people feel about it.

"I kind of like the switch because it's one of those indications that things are changing. I need to buy some shorts and put the puffy jacket away," said one man.

Others disagree saying the change throws off their internal clock.

"I don't think we should keep doing it. The older I get, the harder it is to adjust," said a mall-goer.

The original intent of Daylight Saving Time was to support war efforts during World Wars I and II, giving people more daylight for activities such as farming and manufacturing. The practice was first signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson in 1918.

Less than a year later the law was repealed only to be reinstated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942. At that time it was practiced year round.

In 1966, Congress established the Uniform Time Act, which said that DST would begin on the last Sunday of April and end on the last Sunday of October.

In 2007 the current schedule was established which follows the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

DST currently starts on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.