Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Have a WILD adventure at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! Advance e-tickets required | cmzoo.org Visit 365 days a year for family fun at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
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Colorado Springs is home to America’s mountain Zoo, voted #3 Best Zoo in North America by USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards in 2022. Located at 6,714+ feet above sea level, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo offers breathtaking views of the city and natural mountainside. Go at , thanks to the unique design of the Zoo’s animal habitats. Our staff is committed to helping guests f

orm personal connections with our animals that inspire them to protect wildlife and wild places. Hand-feed one of the largest reticulated giraffe herds in the world, watch grizzlies swim with trout, hop next to red-necked wallabies, waddle alongside African penguins, and get hands on with some of the Zoo’s smaller residents in The Loft. Advance e-tickets are required. Please reserve your tickets at cmzoo.org/visit. Every visit to CMZoo is conservation in action. Our guests have raised more than $4 million dollars for frontline conservation partners around the world, through our Quarters for Conservation program, established in 2008. 75¢ from every admission goes to Quarters for Conservation.

12/13/2024

Let's celebrate Amani’s 25th birthday, with some fun facts!

— Amani’s name is Swahili for “peace," and she lives up to it every day. She’s gentle and patiently waits her turn for lettuce from guests. Amani trains with her keepers and interacts with her herd in a calm and graceful manner.
— Amani’s care team provides her with pain medications for age-related discomfort, but she still participates in hoof care and blood draw training.
— Amani is one of the largest giraffes in the herd.
— She has a distinctive rectangle marking on her chest, darker fur on her face, and beautiful dark brown eyes that make her easy to spot.
— Amani is especially good with giraffe calves and has a close bond with her best friend, Lakeisha, who she grew up with.

At 25, Amani is one of four aging giraffe in CMZoo’s herd over 20. Mahali, (21), Muziki (26), Lakeisha (24) and Amani are the eldest members of the herd, and all receive various levels of care for age-related issues, depending on their individual needs. The median life expectancy for a female giraffe in human care according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is 20 years.

12/12/2024

Early closures ahead! As you plan your holiday festivities, keep in mind that we have slightly different hours in December.

— Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1, the Zoo's daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the last timed tickets at 1 p.m.
— Dec. 12 to 23 and 25 to Jan. 1 2025, the Zoo's daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with the last timed tickets at 1:30 p.m.
— The Sky Ride and Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun will also close early these days. See cmzoo.org/alerts for more details.
— See cmzoo.org/electric for details about Electric Safari.

Before you buy tickets, check out these early closure times so you can make the most of your visit!

— On Christmas Eve, the Zoo's daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the last timed tickets at 1 p.m. Sky Ride, if open, closes at 2 p.m. The Shrine closes at 2 p.m. with the last car up at 1 p.m. Electric Safari is closed.
— On Christmas Day, the Zoo's daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the last timed tickets at 1 p.m. Sky Ride, if open, closes at 2 p.m. The Shrine is closed. Electric Safari is open.
— On New Year's Eve, the Zoo's daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the last timed tickets at 1 p.m. Last Sky Ride, if open, is at 1:30 p.m. The Shrine closes at 1:30 p.m. with the last car up at 12:30 p.m. Electric Safari is open.
— On New Year's Day, the Zoo's daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the last timed tickets at 1 p.m. Sky Ride, if open, closes at 2 p.m. The Shrine is closed. Electric Safari is open.

12/11/2024

Our work towards accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with sensory needs continues. CMZoo has earned a certification from KultureCity®️ that included staff training by leading medical and neurodivergent professionals on how to recognize community members with sensory needs, and how to be supportive during a sensory overload situation. We also have sensory bags, equipped with noise canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads, available for guests to borrow at Zoo admissions.

Throughout the Zoo, guests will see signs like these, indicating designated zones. The "Headphone Zone" signs indicate environments that have lots of sensory stimuli, in which our guests with sensory needs may want to employ their headphones before entering. "Quiet Zone" signs indicate areas we've identified as lower sensory areas, that could be calmer environments for those who need to take a break.

In support of our inclusivity efforts, guests may also notice we have installed a universal changing table in the bathrooms near lower level African lion viewing and the Colobus monkeys.

12/11/2024

Matilda is as outgoing as they come, often hopping right up to guests for a friendly hello (and maybe a scratch or two on the back). If you have met a wallaby at CMZoo, there's a good chance it was Matilda.

She’s Mom or Grandma to most of the CMZoo mob, and she's a legend for wallabies in general. She is 11 and has nearly doubled the median life expectancy for wallabies in human care (~6 years), according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

12/10/2024

There's nothing more heartwarming than black-footed ferrets exploring their wild home for the very first time!

This fall, volunteers and conservation experts gathered near Las Animas, Colorado, to release 33 endangered black-footed ferrets (BFFs) into the wild, including some that were born at CMZoo! Watch the most recent release here: https://www.cmzoo.org/news/archive/cmzoo-releases-endangered-black-footed-ferrets-in-colorado/

12/10/2024

photo of one of our otters, Enapay, relaxing on a favorite otter resting rock.

12/09/2024

Don’t let Value Days at the Zoo slip through your hooves! From December through February, you can save $5 a ticket on daytime admission, so reserve your tickets now at cmzoo.org.

Adult tickets
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for $24.75 per adult
2 to 3 p.m. for $14.75 per adult

Child tickets (3 to 11)
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for $20.75 per child
2 to 3 p.m. for $10.75 per child

12/08/2024

Electric Safari is lighting up the season! Celebrate the holidays with our 34th annual holiday lights extravaganza. Tickets are available at cmzoo.org/electric.

Explore our mountainside winter wonderland nightly from tonight through Wed., Jan.1, 2025 – except Christmas Eve. Electric Safari is free for Zoo members - and members can get early entry, from 4 to 5 p.m. General admission is from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Electric Safari ends at 8:30 p.m. Advance timed tickets are required for members and the general public, and some nights will sell out! Get tickets at cmzoo.org/electric. Remember, the only way to guarantee the authenticity and best price for your Electric Safari tickets is by reserving them via Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's website: cmzoo.org/electric.

Electric Safari features more than 50 acres of twinkling lights, multiple larger-than-life animal inflatables, a drone light show, 90 artisan-made light sculptures, visits with CMZoo animals and breathtaking nighttime city views. You can even meet Santa (we know him!) in Safari Lodge, through Mon., Dec. 23! (Drone show and inflatables are weather dependent.)

Please help us thank our Electric Safari 2024 partners, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Raising Cane's, Drive Toyota, U.S. Bank and Livewell Animal Urgent Care of Colorado Springs.

12/08/2024

Three fun facts about Hoosier and barn owls!

1️⃣ Hoosier’s big, bright eyes help him see the world clearly. As a barn owl, he has excellent vision, but since owl eyes can’t move like ours, he has to turn his head to get the perfect view.
2️⃣ Hoosier can be cautious about new things, but that doesn’t stop him from investigating. He is very curious and loves playing with and tearing apart toys rope toys, kongs and tennis balls.
3️⃣ Barn owls are found on every continent except Antarctica!

12/07/2024

Each year, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo members vote to help the Zoo decide how $75,000 should be split between staff-championed conservation efforts, in CMZoo’s annual Member Conservation Vote.

Of six projects funded in 2024, members decided to continue funding two conservation partners in Kenya.

Read more here: https://www.cmzoo.org/news/archive/member-conservation-vote-project-updates-pancake-tortoises-and-african-lions/

12/07/2024

Like father, like son.

First-time parents Gus and Finn are teaching their 2-month-old son, Tumbo, how to be a Red River hog! This includes rooting around in the dirt, scouting out the best snacks, wallowing, finding the best sunspot for naps, and enjoying the occasional zoomies.

Guest visibility of the Red River hog family in African Rift Valley will vary throughout the winter depending on the weather. Feel free to ask Zoo staff about the Red River hogs' visibility during your next visit!

12/06/2024

It's the most wonderful time of the year for giving a wildly unforgettable gift! If you or another animal lover in your life have a special connection to a CMZoo animal, adopting one of our residents as a gift this holiday season is a thoughtful and unique way to spread joy while directly supporting their care at CMZoo. Our adoption packages start at just $35, and for some extra holiday cheer, check out our Wild Adopt packages ($55-65) that include an adorable plush to snuggle up with! All adoption packages come with a certificate of adoption, fact sheet, and color photo of your adopted animal. To ensure that your package arrives before Wed. December 25, orders must be placed by 3 p.m. MST on Mon. December 16.

Learn more at cmzoo.org/adopt.

12/06/2024

THANK YOU!! Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's holiday lights spectacular, Electric Safari, has been ranked Second Best Zoo Lights in North America, in USA TODAY's 10Best Reader's Choice Awards!

This is our highest ranking ever, and we're so grateful for your support! Congratulations to our fellow AZA-accredited organizations that ranked in the top ten in this friendly competition.

This is the sixth year in a row Electric Safari has ranked in the top three Best Zoo Lights by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It was named Third Best Zoo Lights in North America for the last five years.

The Top Ten Best Zoo Lights in North America are:

1. PNC Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo
2. Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
3. Lights Before Christmas at Toledo Zoo
4. Saint Louis Zoo Wild Lights presented by Commerce Bank
5. WildLights at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
6. Oklahoma City Zoo Safari Lights Presented by OG&E
7. Christmas at the Zoo at Indianapolis Zoo
8. Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
9. Wild Lights at Detroit Zoo
10. Lights of the Wild at Hattiesburg Zoo

Come and see why we were ranked second Best Zoo Lights in the U.S., with 26 nights of Electric Safari — starting tonight!

4 to 8:30 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 6 through Wed., Jan.1, 2025 – except Christmas Eve.

Tickets are free for members, and advance timed tickets are required for members and the general public. Some nights will sell out! Get tickets at cmzoo.org/electric. Remember, the only way to guarantee the authenticity and best price for your Electric Safari tickets is by reserving them via Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's website: cmzoo.org/electric.

12/06/2024

Winter at CMZoo is full of special moments like this. Thanks to our guest for sharing this of a recent memorable connection with Koda. You inspire us to continue our important work to save wildlife and wild places.

Tag us in your CMZoo moments for a chance to be featured on our social channels.

12/05/2024

Electric Safari kicks off tomorrow night! Brighten your holidays with our 34th annual holiday lights extravaganza. Tickets are available at cmzoo.org/electric.

Explore our mountainside winter wonderland nightly from Fri., Dec. 6 through Wed., Jan.1, 2025 – except Christmas Eve. Electric Safari is free for Zoo members - and members can get early entry, from 4 to 5 p.m. General admission is from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Electric Safari ends at 8:30 p.m. Advance timed tickets are required for members and the general public, and some nights will sell out! Get tickets at cmzoo.org/electric. Remember, the only way to guarantee the authenticity and best price for your Electric Safari tickets is by reserving them via Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's website: cmzoo.org/electric.

Electric Safari features more than 50 acres of twinkling lights, multiple larger-than-life animal inflatables, a drone light show, 90 artisan-made light sculptures, visits with CMZoo animals and breathtaking nighttime city views. You can even meet Santa (we know him!) in Safari Lodge, through Mon., Dec. 23! (Drone show and inflatables are weather dependent.)

Please help us thank our Electric Safari 2024 partners, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Raising Cane's, Drive Toyota, .S. Bank and Livewell Animal Urgent Care of Colorado Springs.

12/05/2024

40 lucky pups have a chance to meet Santa at Dog Day on Wed., Dec. 11! Meeting Santa does require a bit of magic, though. See all the details for this limited opportunity at cmzoo.org/dogdays.

On Wed., Dec. 11 and Fri., Dec. 27, you can bring your well-behaved dog to the Zoo with you at CMZoo's Dog Days! Purchase a dog ticket at cmzoo.org/dogdays, along with your family’s human tickets, and Fido can experience many of the sights, sounds and smells that make the Zoo so special (minus some restricted areas).

12/04/2024

🕰️ Early closures ahead! As you plan your holiday festivities, keep in mind that we have slightly different hours in December.

— Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1, the Zoo's daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the last timed tickets at 1 p.m.
— Dec. 6 to 23 and 25 to Jan. 1 2025, the Zoo's daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with the last timed tickets at 1:30 p.m.
— The Sky Ride and Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun will also close early these days. See cmzoo.org/alerts for more details.
— See cmzoo.org/electric for details about Electric Safari.

Before you buy tickets, check out these early closure times so you can make the most of your visit!

— On Christmas Eve, the Zoo's daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the last timed tickets at 1 p.m. Sky Ride, if open, closes at 2 p.m. The Shrine closes at 2 p.m. with the last car up at 1 p.m. Electric Safari is closed.
— On Christmas Day, the Zoo's daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the last timed tickets at 1 p.m. Sky Ride, if open, closes at 2 p.m. The Shrine is closed. Electric Safari is open.
— On New Year's Eve, the Zoo's daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the last timed tickets at 1 p.m. Last Sky Ride, if open, is at 1:30 p.m. The Shrine closes at 1:30 p.m. with the last car up at 12:30 p.m. Electric Safari is open.
— On New Year's Day, the Zoo's daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the last timed tickets at 1 p.m. Sky Ride, if open, closes at 2 p.m. The Shrine is closed. Electric Safari is open.

Address

4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road
Colorado Springs, CO
80906

Website

https://www.cmzoo.org/

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Videos

This fall, volunteers and conservation experts gathered near Las Animas, Colorado, to release 33 endangered black-footed ferrets (BFFs) into the wild, including some that were born at CMZoo! 2024 was a record-breaking breeding year for CMZoo's BFF conservation program, with 37 kits born! It was also a pioneering year. CMZoo's conservationists tested multi-partner breeding to see if females could conceive and whelp kits from different dads in the same litter. Out of seven females in the trial, two had litters with two fathers represented. Read more: https://www.cmzoo.org/news/archive/critically-endangered-black-footed-ferrets-paternity-test-results-are-in/. BFFs were considered extinct until the 1980s. On Sept. 26, 1981, a ranch dog named Shep caught a BFF. Shep’s catch led to the discovery of a small population of the elusive animals in Meeteetse, Wyoming. That population became the hope for the recovery of the entire species. Since then, zoos, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center and other organizations have banded together to breed, prepare, release and monitor BFFs to increase the population. CMZoo joined the fight to save ferrets in 1991, when its BFF breed-and-release program began. In the last 33 years, 647 kits have been born on Cheyenne Mountain. The Zoo is a major contributor to recovery efforts, releasing BFFs to protected wild places in Colorado every year. Watch the full video here: https://www.cmzoo.org/news/archive/cmzoo-releases-endangered-black-footed-ferrets-in-colorado/