How do you view clouds?

If the predictions are accurate and the Northern Lights are visible from Colorado tonight, would it be at all possible to see them when one is near the light pollution of Denver, given a clear view of the horizon and no clouds?

• Answer:

  A general guideline is that you need to be able to see the milky way clearly in order to see the aurora borealis. If there is so much light pollution that you can't see the milky way looking north, you won't be able to see the aurora either. I've only once in ten years been able to see the aurora inside an urban area, only visible as flashes and flickers. I immediately traveled to a dark area with less light pollution, where it looked amazing. :) Sadly, so far the CME that hit Earth tonight has been weaker than expected. There's still a chance of awesome auroras, but they aren't happening yet. Keep an eye on the http://helios.swpc.noaa.gov/ovation/ or similar site to see if it gets better.