TESTING for Timeline Build Page –
The Story of CMZoo: Past to Present
Celebrating 100 years
Explore CMZoo’s unique and storyful history with these highlights spanning from 1926 to 2026.
1920s
The Zoo’s first decade
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was established in 1926 by Colorado Springs legend, Spencer Penrose. Spencer built The Broadmoor Hotel in 1918, and over the next several years, he acquired exotic animals that became the first residents of CMZoo.
Courtesy El Pomar Foundation
1925
From Prairie to Peak
Spencer completed the Cheyenne Mountain Highway (the main road through the Zoo for nearly 100 years)...
Learn More1926
Courtesy History Colorado
Established in 1926 by Colorado Springs legend Spencer Penrose
Spencer Penrose was an entrepreneur, who headed west, ending up in Colorado in the late 1800s....
Learn More1927
Monkey House & Bears
Spencer wanted a building to house a variety of primate species with access to fresh air & sunlight....
Learn More1927 cont.
Moved to the Mountainside
In 1927 & 1928, relocation onto the mountainside allowed for more animals and guests!...
Learn More1928
Courtesy The Broadmoor
Tessie, "Empress of India"
Spencer’s beloved Asian elephant, Tessie's barn was built at the Zoo in 1928....
Learn More1930s
A growing organization
Throughout the ’30s, Spencer worked to grow the number of animals, buildings and attractions at the Zoo. He worked diligently to put Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on the map through publicity efforts.
1933
Courtesy El Pomar Foundation
Spencer in a sulky pulled by a llama from the Zoo in downtown Colorado Springs....
Learn More1934
Courtesy Colorado Springs Pioneer's Museum
The Zoo's Museum
1930s-1960sThe second floor of the original elephant barn was a museum featuring an extensive insect collection...
Learn More1937
Courtesy The Broadmoor
Zoo Trains
1937-1974To enhance the Zoo experience, Spencer commissioned two miniature cog trains....
Learn More1937 cont.
Early Iconic Sculptures
As world travelers, the Penroses brought international cultures to enrich the Zoo. ...
Learn More1937 cont.
Historic Carousel
Spencer purchased and installed a carousel from the Allen Herschell Co. of New York....
Learn More1937 cont.
Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun
Spencer completed the Shrine in 1937 intending it to be his final resting place....
Learn More1938
Shirley Temple
Rising star Shirley Temple meets Zoo elephant named Shirley Temple!...
Learn More1938 cont.
Incorporated
Spencer incorporated Cheyenne Mountain Zoo as a non-profit public trust for the citizens of Colorado...
Learn More1939
Courtesy The Broadmoor
Robert Menary
Following Spencer’s death, Robert Menary was CEO from 1939 to 1963....
Learn More1940s
New homes for more species
In the ’40s, the Zoo made new homes for gorillas, orangutans, big cats, and elephants, among others.
1942
Courtesy The Broadmoor
The Feline House
Opened in 1942 to house tigers, lions, a cheetah and more....
Learn More1947
Cliff Myers
Zoo Superintendent from 1947-1991, Myers helped usher in decades of growth and change at the Zoo....
Learn More1948
First Primates
Jiggs arrives at Denver International Airport, July 13, 1948....
Learn More1949
Courtesy The Broadmoor
Named in Honor of Julie Penrose
Julie Penrose gifted the Zoo a one-year-old female Asian elephant....
Learn More1950s
The first giraffe arrive
The lasting legacy of giraffe at CMZoo began, penguins joined the family, and the first hippo was born in the 50s.
1951
Zoo Entrance Updating & Thundergod House
In August 1951, the Zoo added a new entrance building and Thundergod House restaurant,....
Learn More1954
Courtesy Pikes Peak Library DistrictVictor Borge serenading the giraffe herd
at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
The Giraffe Legacy Begins
The giraffe legacy at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo began in 1954 with the arrival of Pet, Susie and Stretch...
Learn More1956
The Bird House Opens
In addition to a large open aviary, it housed a variety of reptiles, including an anaconda!...
Learn More1957
Courtesy The Broadmoor 1950s
HIppos & Penguins Arrive
The first penguins arrived in 1956, living in the Bird House indoor and outdoor pools....
Learn More1957 cont.
Zoomobile
In 1957, the ZOOMobile replaced the long-running Zoo Special cog train....
Learn More1960s
Bison, Aquatics and the Great Flood
In the ’60s, the Zoo continued to grow with a herd of bison and a new home for hippos, penguins, and a beaver. It also closed for the first time in documented history to clean up after a historic flood.
1960
Aquatics Building Opens
Providing homes for hipos, penguins, a beaver and more....
Learn More1963
Photo courtesy The Broadmoor
Director Don Davis
Don Davis was associate director and then director from 1963 to 1982....
Learn More1964
North American Panorama
Established on a 40-acre yard originally built in 1927 for bison, elk and deer....
Learn More1965
The Great Flood
Unprecedented rains triggered a flash flood on Cheyenne Mountain, sending a wall of water through th...
Learn More1966
Primate World Opens
Opened in 1966, housing chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas and more....
Learn More1969
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Auxiliary
The CMZ Docent program was established in 1969....
Learn More1970s
Bird of Prey Hill, polar bear cubs, and flamingoes
In the ’70s, the giraffe herd grew, two polar bear cubs joined the family, and the Zoo opened new homes for flamingos and birds of prey.
1970
Giraffe Legacy Continues
Throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, the Zoo’s iconic giraffe herd continued to grow....
Learn More1976
Bird of Prey Hill
Bird of Prey Hill opened along the west side of the Zoo....
Learn More1980s
Docent program grows, Monkey Pavilion, ChimpanZoo and the first female Presdient & CEO
By the 1980s, CMZoo’s stellar docent program was top-rated in the nation, a familar face visited as part of the ChimpanZoo project, the feline house was renovated for primates, and Susan Engfer became the first female president & CEO.
1980
Monkey Pavilion
By the 1980s, the Feline House became Monkey Pavilion, primarily home to primates until its closure ...
Learn More1982
David Allen, CEO
1982-1988Allen guided the Zoo into a new era of animal welfare, conservation, education and guest experience....
Learn More1983
Veterinary Medicine
The Zoo received a grant to support implementing a vet services program, and Dr. Robert Cook was the...
Learn More1985
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Auxiliary
By 1985, the Zoo's Docent program had earned international recognition....
Learn More1988
Susan Engfer, President & CEO
First female president and first president & CEO selected through a national search....
Learn More1990s
Financial stability, habitat renovations, conservation programs, new exhibits and a master plan
With growing attendance and steady leadership, the Zoo turned a corner into an era of financial stability. CMZoo launched its in-house breed-and-release conservation programs and prepared a master plan, opening Wolf Woods, Asian Highlands and more.
1990
New Front Entrance
A new front entrance moved admissions from Thundergod building to the front....
Learn More1990 cont.
The Conservation Center
Built to house breed-and-release programs for endangered species, completed in 1990. ...
Learn More1991
Primate World Renovation
Updating shifted its focus to orangutans, gorillas and smaller primates....
Learn More1991 cont.
The First Electric Safari
Electric Safari launched as an annual tradition, thanks to the Zoo's passionate docents....
Learn More1994
Wolf Woods
This new one-way looking glass and lush forest habitat opened with three wolves....
Learn More1996
Wyoming Toad Breeding Program
Joined recovery efforts releasing thousands of toads and tadpoles...
Learn More1997
Lion's Lair
This newly completed more naturalistic space was renovated from the previous tiger enclosure....
Learn More1997
Asian Highlands
The experience is home to species from the far East, including tiger, leopard and red panda....
Learn More2000s
A shift in animal welfare, training and habitat improvements
In the early 2000s, the Zoo catapulted its progress in positive reinforcement training, establishing a focus on animal welfare that would see it become a leader in giraffe training. Quarters for Conservation launched, and African Rift Valley and Rocky Mountain Wild opened.
2000
Zoo Behavior Training
Interactive opportunities allowed visitors to participate in reinforcing behaviors....
Learn More2001
My Big Backyard
Oversized fun for everyone, designed to spark imagination and connect with backyard nature....
Learn More2003
African Rift Valley Opens
Offering exponential improvements for giraffe welfare and guests’ first moments....
Learn More2005
Bob Chastain, CEO
2005-2026Served the Zoo for 30 years, including ten as horticulturist & vice president....
Learn More2006
Wallaby Walkabout
A guest walkabout amongst wallabies, red kangaroos and emus....
Learn More2007
Budgie Buddies
A walk-thru indoor aviary with seed stick feeding guest experiences....
Learn More2008
Quarters for Conservation
Since 2008 through 2026, members and guests raised more than $6 million for wildlife and wild places...
Learn More2008 cont.
Rocky Mountain Wild Opens
The concept of constructing exhibits around the mountain’s natural landscape guided the design....
Learn More2008 cont.
The Loft Opens
A light and airy space brought guests closer than ever to animal ambassadors that also travel off-si...
Learn More2008 cont.
Mountaineer Sky Ride
Offering a 7-minute chairlift adventure over the Zoo and back down....
Learn More2010s
Massive growth, more conservation funding and a hail storm to remember
Encounter Africa, Scutes Family Gallery and Australia Walkabout opened. The Members-Only Conservation vote launched, the Zoo earned national recognition, and a catastrophic hailstorm.
2010
Giraffe Training
Giraffe husbandry training became a priority focus training animals to actively participate in their...
Learn More2010 cont.
Sustainable Palm Oil
Encouraging responsible, sustainable conservation choices to support wildlife and wild places....
Learn More2011
Wilgren Elephant Center
A state-of-the-art facility designed to help address needs that come with aging multi-ton animals....
Learn More2012
Scutes Family Gallery
Introduced a new mission: to connect people with reptiles in engaging and meaningful ways....
Learn More2013
Encounter Africa
Bridging the new elephant and giraffe areas, adding new species and experiences....
Learn More2015
Members Conservation Vote
In 2015, the Zoo launched the members-only conservation vote....
Learn More2015 cont.
Australian Walkabout
Exciting experiences feeding budgies and walking with wallabies....
Learn More2016
Operation Twiga
Six different conservation translocation missions to save the critically endangered Nubian giraffe....
Learn More2018
Penny
Perhaps one of the most notable recent-day animals at the Zoo was Penny....
Learn More2018 cont.
Hail Storm
In August 2018, a hail storm of epic proportions struck, causing an estimated $4.5 million in damage...
Learn More2020s
Water’s Edge: Africa, a global pandemic, record-breaking attendance and new Zoo leadership
In 2020, the Zoo closed for 12 weeks, along with much of the rest of the world. Upon reopening, attendance boomed under capacity restrictions, with the public debut of Water’s Edge: Africa and a baby moose.
2020
COVID-19 Pandemic
The Zoo closed to the public for the third time in its history, March 17 to June 6, 2020....
Learn More2020 cont.
Best Zoo & Best Zoo Exhibit
Since 2020, named a top-five Zoo in USA Todays 10Best Readers' Choice Awards...
Learn More2020 cont.
Water's Edge: Africa
An educational nature playground for animal lovers with new homes for Nile hippos, African penguins,...
Learn More2021
Omo
On July 20, 2021, another star was born - Omo, a Nile hippo calf....
Learn More2021 cont.
AZA Accreditation Clean Inspection
In the zoo and aquarium industry, AZA accreditation is considered the gold standard....
Learn More2022
Play Hill
The commitment to guest experience continues with more places for people....
Learn More2026
The 200 Project
Life-sized sculptures honoring the birth of more than 200 giraffe calves at CMZoo....
Learn More2026 cont.
Dave Ruhl, CEO
Dave Ruhl assumed the position as the seventh president & CEO of CMZoo....
Learn More2026 cont.
International Center for the Care & Conservation of Giraffe
Expanding experiences for giraffe and guests, both indoors and outdoors....
Learn More