Sometimes you just have to stop and look west. A Colorado Springs photographer did exactly that this week, and the resulting photo of sunset over Pikes Peak has been shared thousands of times across social media.

The image captures the mountain bathed in deep oranges and purples, with the city's lights just beginning to twinkle below. It's the kind of shot that reminds residents why they chose to live in the shadow of America's Mountain.

"I've photographed Pikes Peak hundreds of times," the photographer wrote. "This was different. The colors were unlike anything I've seen."

The viral moment has drawn attention from travel publications and tourism organizations. Visit Colorado Springs shared the image, calling it "a perfect reminder of what makes this city special."