Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a zoological park situated southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, uniquely located on Cheyenne Mountain at an elevation of 6,714 feet (2,046 m) above sea level, making it the highest zoo in the United States. The zoo encompasses 140 acres, with 40 acres currently in use, and is home to more than 750 animals representing nearly 170 different species, including over 30 endangered species. It holds accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

History and Foundation

The zoo's origins trace back to 1916 when businessman Spencer Penrose received a bear as a gift, sparking his interest in collecting animals. Initially, these animals were housed at Penrose's Broadmoor Hotel. However, an incident involving a monkey biting a hotel guest prompted the need for a dedicated facility. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was officially founded in 1926 to house this growing collection of exotic animals. In 1938, Spencer Penrose formalized its status by incorporating the zoo as a non-profit public trust. Today, it operates as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and does not rely on local or regional public tax support.

Notable Incidents and Recognition

In August 2018, the zoo faced a significant challenge when severe weather brought baseball-sized hail. The zoo staff received national media and AZA praise for their swift response in moving animals and visitors to safety using an incident command system. Despite these efforts, three employees were hospitalized, and tragically, five animals, including two peafowl, a cape vulture, a Muscovy duck, and a young meerkat pup, died from their injuries.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has garnered recognition for its excellence, being ranked the #2 best zoo in North America in 2025 by USA Today.

Giraffe Herd and Conservation Initiatives

The zoo is particularly celebrated for its large and prolific giraffe herd. Since 1954, 203 giraffe calves have been born at the zoo. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is recognized as a trusted source for giraffe care knowledge and maintains a collection of giraffe plasma to assist other facilities. In a notable instance, the zoo provided banked giraffe plasma to the Denver Zoo in 2017, which was crucial for the survival of a newborn giraffe calf. In 2022, the zoo established the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe, dedicated to hosting workshops and offering consulting services to improve giraffe welfare in human care.

Exhibits and Attractions

The zoo features a variety of themed exhibits designed to showcase diverse species in naturalistic habitats. These include the African Rift Valley, home to lions and giraffes; Encounter Africa, housing elephants and rhinos; and Asian Highlands, which exhibits Amur tigers and snow leopards. Other significant exhibits are Rocky Mountain Wild, featuring native North American wildlife such as grizzly bears and Mexican wolves, and Primate World, which houses various apes and other primates. The zoo also offers attractions like a historic carousel and the Mountaineer Sky Ride, providing aerial views of some exhibits.

Conservation Efforts

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is deeply committed to conservation, actively breeding endangered species such as black-footed ferrets, Wyoming toads, and Mexican gray wolves. The zoo participates in over 30 Species Survival Plan programs and has achieved remarkable success in breeding black-footed ferrets, with 647 kits born by 2024. Through its Quarters for Conservation program, initiated in 2008, the zoo has raised over $2 million to support multiple field conservation programs. Additionally, it collaborates with institutions like the Houston Zoo and the Smithsonian on the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation project, aiming to reintroduce endangered amphibians into the wild.