The station was opened on June 11, 2004, and is operated by the Sacramento Regional Transit District.

Sunrise, along with Zinfandel and Cordova Town Center, opened on June 11, 2004, as part of an $89 million, 2.8-mile (4.5 km) extension of what was then the original Watt/I-80–Downtown–Mathers Field/Mills line east of the Mather Field/Mills station.

[7] Sunrise serves as a major station on the eastern section of the Gold Line.

Light rail operates from this stop to downtown at 15-minute intervals during peak time periods, while trains leave Folsom at 30-minute headways during this portion of the day.

The Rancho Cordova Certified Farmers' Market operates at the park and ride of the station every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.