The Zoo's Master Plan makes changes and improvements by replacing deteriorating exhibits and buildings and improving visitor accessibility, convenience and safety. Needed improvements have opened a door for us to redefine the Zoo, transforming the visitor's experience from passive viewer to active participant, steeping our visitors deep into culture and habitat and inspiring a new respect for the preservation of wildlife through hands-on education.

We have created a plan which will cause defining moments in the memories of our visitors; moments where a "never to be forgotten" connection is made.

• Create experiences of a lifetime with every Zoo visit ~ Feel a giraffe's 18-inch purple tongue take a cracker from your hand.

• Transform a passive Zoo into active participation ~ Tiny fingers touch the rough and bumpy skin of a colorful lizard.

• Replace outdated animal enclosures ~ Designing exhibits that duplicate natural habitats and promote natural behaviors.

• Develop gently sloped walking paths throughout the Zoo ~ Visitor paths with a 5% grade and people movers offer relief from today's mountain hike.

Rocky Mountain WILD! As America's only mountain zoo, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is uniquely suited to showcase Colorado wildlife in its natural setting. The Rocky Mountain Wild complex will draw you to the highest and most spectacular level of the Zoo where you will experience surprising, engaging and memorable encounters with Rocky Mountain wildlife, including the moose, lynx, mountain lion, grizzly bear, river otter and bald eagle. Animals will appear to roam freely on the side of Cheyenne Mountain, as the exhibit is designed to skillfully enclose the animals' natural habitat.

Capital Campaign A $8.2 million capital campaign is being launched to build the Rocky Mountain Wilderness exhibit, expand education and event space and grow the Zoo's endowment. The three-year campaign, Rocky Mountain WILD! is being chaired by Zoo Board Members, Phil Lane and James Loo.

Rock the Zoo...and help us build the Rocky Mountain Wild with your own personalized river rock for yourself, your family, a special friend or an organization or school important to you! Learn more!

• Situated on 146-acres, 70 of which are developed, at an elevation of 6,800 feet, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the only mountain zoo in the United States.

• Governed by a volunteer board of community leaders and recognized as an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of only a handful of accredited zoos in the country that does not receive local or regional public tax support. Nearly 100 percent of the Zoo’s income is derived from earned revenues, membership dues, donations, corporate sponsors, and grants.

• The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to more than 750 animals representing some 142 species from around the world, over 32 of which are classified as endangered or threatened.

• 12,500 Pikes Peak region households were Zoo members in 2005. 

• The Zoo’s attendance has increased 53 percent since 1989, with 1998 being a twenty-six-year record in attendance at 445,763 visitors. Total visitors in 2004 were 401,781.

• The Zoo was voted “Best Place for Family Fun”and "Best Outdoor Attraction" by local newspapers over the past seven years, and is now in The Gazette "Hall Of Fame."

• Admission to the Zoo is $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for senior citizens, and $6.00 for kids. Ages 2 and under are free. Scheduled school groups of 15 people or more receive a discounted admission. The Zoo is open 365 days a year.

• Major Zoo improvements and additions since 1991 include Primate World, Wolf Woods, Asian Highlands, and Lion’s Lair, My Big Backyard, and the African Rift Valley. All feature views of the animals in spacious natural environments and offer educational displays.

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is an integral asset to the Pikes Peak region, not only as a major attraction, but also as an important partner in community programs and institutions. Just some of the ways the Zoo makes a difference are listed below.

Recognized as a strong tourist attraction, the Zoo has the highest attendance of any attraction in Colorado Springs that charges an admission.

More than 60 percent of our visitors are local residents coming from every zip code in the city.

30 percent of all Zoo visitors were children 11 years of age and younger.

Dedicated to educating our community’s children, 92 percent of all elementary schools in Colorado Springs participate in Zoo programs annually.

Over 20,000 curriculum guides, developed by the Zoo’s education staff to meet state science standards, have been made available to every elementary school teacher in the area as a free resource.

The Zoo provides teacher workshops to train teachers how to implement Zoo education in the classroom.

The Opportunity Fund grants scholarships for special needs and low-income children to participate in Zoo programs. For Opportunity Fund scholarship details, contact Education. In addition, the Zoo subsidizes admission for qualifying non-profit organizations with developmentally or economically challenged children. Non-profit organizations interested in admission subsidy may contact Guest Services.

1. Who owns the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo?
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society owns the Zoo. The Zoo was founded by Spencer Penrose in 1926 and incorporated by him as a private non-profit corporation in 1938. Neither the City of Colorado Springs, the Broadmoor Hotel, nor the El Pomar Foundation have any legal or financial responsibility for the Zoo.

2. Where does the Zoo get its revenue?
The Zoo’s 2005-2006 operating budget is $4.5 million. The Zoo generates most of its revenue through admissions, program fees, memberships, corporate and individual donations and grants. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of only a handful of accredited zoos in North America that receives no dedicated local or regional tax assistance.

3. How will the Master Plan serve our community?
The Zoo is already a vital part of our economic and social fabric. The master plan will take the best of the Zoo and make it even better. Opportunities to learn and the chances to view rare and endangered animals will improve dramatically, and the comfort of getting around the Zoo will be made easier for visitors of all ages. The master plan will preserve this community treasure by making the experience better for visitors and preparing the Zoo for the future.

4. How will the improvements enhance the animals' lives and the visitor experience?
Implementation of the master plan will allow the Zoo to modernize, refurbish and preserve this community treasure. Specifically, the master plan will insure:

• Spacious new animal homes which provide more freedom and natural surroundings to encourage natural behaviors and to enhance breeding of endangered species.
• Fun, “hands-on” educational opportunities for students, families, and children.
• Improved guest services that emphasize convenience, comfort, and ease of getting around America’s only mountain zoo.