Ages: Middle and High School, 6th - 12th grades. Summer Session runs May 27 – August 9, 2024 for Zoo Crew, Junior Zoo Keeper and Teen Leader programs. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Teen Programs provide meaningful life experiences that inspire teens to take conservation action both on and off Zoo grounds through education, leadership, stewardship and environmental exploration. Admission to the program is through an application process. Online applications for Zoo Crew, Junior Zoo Keeper and Teen Leader will be open during this time. An application fee applies. Once you have completed your application fee transaction you will get an automatic generated email that contains the link to your application! All applications must be submitted by midnight on February 14, 2024.
Events for Saturday, December 7, 2024 - Saturday, December 7, 2024
Teen Program Summer Season 2024 – Applications Open (Feb. 1-14)
Outdoor School: Mindfulness by Nature
Ages: Middle School & High School. No matter the season, getting outside can be a boost for your mental health. Join us as we explore the zoo’s nature trail and learn to connect more deeply with our wild spaces. **Purchase of program includes daytime admission for participants. Registration is required.
Vote for CMZoo for BEST ZOO and BEST ZOO EXHIBIT 2024
Last year, you voted Cheyenne Mountain Zoo the fourth Best Zoo and second Best Zoo Exhibit (for Rocky Mountain Wild) in North America in USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards Program. We have once again been nominated, and we need your votes! You can vote once a day, every single day from now through 9:59 a.m. MT Monday, March 4. Thanks for your support, and happy voting!
Paint. Sip. Safari. (Feb. 6 or 21)
Ages 21+. Offered on February 6 or 21 with a hippo theme. Join us for an adults only program where you not only get to create memories but a painting of one of our amazing animals as well. Each month offers a different animal theme to paint. Spend the evening at the Zoo strolling through animal exhibits, enjoying an adult beverage, meeting animals up-close and creating a masterpiece! Registration is required.
Stroller Safaris: Feathered Friends February (Feb. 8, 17, 23, 29)
Ages 1-4 years with adult. Offered: February 8, 17, 23 & 19. This month we will be focusing on birds! Participants will get a chance to meet a variety of feathered friends and make enrichment for native bird species! Registration is required and open online now.
Special Valentine’s Day Stroller Safari: Feathered Friends (Feb. 14)
Ages 1-4 years with adult. Offered: February 14 only. This month we will be focusing on birds! Participants will get a chance to meet a variety of feathered friends and make enrichment for native bird species! Registration is required and open online now.
Hands-On Homeschool: Colorful Creatures
Ages: 1st - 8th grades; Elementary & Middle School groups. Dive into the captivating realm of camouflage strategies and communication tools found in nature's palette. During this program we will explore the mysteries of animal coloration and illuminate the fascinating science behind the hues of the world. Registration is required.
Outdoor School: Home Sweet Habitat
Ages: K-2nd grades. What makes a good habitat? How do animals build their homes to stay warm in winter? In this young learners program we’ll navigate the zoo to learn how animals build different homes to survive the winter. **Purchase of program includes daytime admission for participants. Registration is required.
Hiring Event
Ages 18+. We have several part-time guest experience and food service positions available! Stop by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on Saturday, Feb. 17 or Sunday, Feb. 18, anytime between 2 and 4 p.m. to share your resume and interview for one of our part-time positions.
Kinder Kingdom: Tiny Tracks
Ages 4-5 years, PreK-K. Dive into a world of animal footprints and explore the stories written in the tiny tracks left behind by creatures big and small. Through scavenger hunts, identification, and storytelling, we will uncover big discoveries. Registration is required.
Atka’s Antlers Weigh-in
CMZoo Alaska moose, Atka, will be strutting a new “minimalist” look for the next few months. As most male moose do each winter or spring, our 3-year-old Alaska moose, Atka, has shed his antlers! We want you to guess how much they weigh for a chance to meet Atka up-close. Use the form below to enter your guess for the combined weight of both of his antlers. One person who guesses the closest combined weight of his antlers will win a 30-minute encounter with Atka for up to four people.
Help us celebrate $5 MILLION RAISED FOR CONSERVATION!
All ages. Throughout the Zoo on Sunday, March 3, 2024, guests can check out special keeper talks, informational conservation booths, and a learn and earn free animal feeding opportunity - all day long! Advance daytime admission tickets required and are on sale now.
Stroller Safaris: March Mammal Madness (Mar. 23)
Ages 1-4 years with adult. Offered: March 8 & 23. This month we are focusing on animals that are just like us; mammals! Participants will get a chance to meet some “furry” friends and learn about a special group of mammals called marsupials. Registration is required and open online now.
Dog Days at the Zoo (March 21)
On Thursday, March 14, or Thursday, March 21 (rescheduled date) - add an extra ticket to make your family outing complete! Bring your canine kiddo for a Zoo adventure. For these special dates, you can bring your well-behaved dog to the Zoo with you! Simply purchase a dog ticket along with your family’s human tickets, and Fido can experience many of the sights, sounds and smells that make the Zoo so special. Dog tickets are limited. Advance tickets are required.
Paint. Sip. Safari. (Mar. 20)
Ages 21+. Offered on March 12 or 20 with a ring-tailed lemur theme. Join us for an adults only program where you not only get to create memories but a painting of one of our amazing animals as well. Each month offers a different animal theme to paint. Spend the evening at the Zoo strolling through animal exhibits, enjoying an adult beverage, meeting animals up-close and creating a masterpiece! Registration is required.
Hands-On Homeschool: The Marvels of Migration
Ages: 1st - 8th grades; Elementary & Middle School groups. Pack your bags as we voyage across the world alongside migrating animals! Learners will explore the incredible challenges wildlife face when navigating to new terrain and unveil the extraordinary stories of these globe-trotting creatures. Registration is required.
Special St. Patrick’s Day Stroller Safari: Gorgeously Green (Mar. 16)
Ages 1-4 years with adult. Offered: March 16 only. This special Holiday edition Stroller Safari includes a special demo with an animal from our reptile area, meet & greets with other “green” animals, and a fun green themed sensory activity! Registration is required and open online now.
Kinder Kingdom: Aussie Adventure
Ages 4 & 5 years old / Kindergarten learners. Join us as we hop to Australia and explore the fascinating home to wallabies, budgies, and more! Together we will immerse ourselves in the Aussie spirit. Registration is required.
Outdoor School: Symbiosis: The Art of Living Together
Ages: Middle & High School. Earth is home to millions of animal species that all interact with one another in many different ways. Whether it’s working together as a team or competing for the same resource, our wild planet showcases what it takes for animals to survive. Join us as we study zoo residents and delve into the many different types of symbiotic relationships from around the world. *Purchase of program includes daytime admission for participants. Registration is required.
Special Easter Stroller Safari: An Easter EGGstravaganza! (Mar. 30)
Ages 1-4 years with adult. Offered: March 30 only. This includes a visit with our resident rabbits and egg decorating! Participants will also learn how eggs are connected to lots of other animals around the Zoo too! Registration is required and open online now.
Stroller Safaris: Awesome Amphibians in April (Apr. 27)
Ages 1-4 years with adult. Offered: April 27. This month we are focusing on toads, frogs, newts and salamanders! Participants will get a chance to meet some of these animals and make their very own frog slime to take home and explore! Registration is required and open online now.
Outdoor School: Native Nightlife
Ages: MIddle & High School. Join us for a unique after-hours tour of the Zoo! Through hands-on activities and interactive learning we will study the unique adaptations and lifestyles of our nocturnal neighbors right here in Colorado. Registration is required.
CMZoo Hiring Event
Join us for this Zoo Hiring Event on Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9, 2024.. For ages 18+. Several part-time jobs are available! Opportunities to share your resume and pre-schedule an interview for one of our part-time positions. Bring your resume!
Dog Days at the Zoo (May 10, 31, June 12, 24)
On Fridays, May 10 & 31, Wednesday, June 12, and Monday, June 24, add an extra ticket to make your family outing complete! Bring your canine kiddo for a Zoo adventure. For these special dates, you can bring your well-behaved dog to the Zoo with you! Simply purchase a dog ticket along with your family’s human tickets, and Fido can experience many of the sights, sounds and smells that make the Zoo so special. Dog tickets are limited. Advance tickets are required.
Paint. Sip. Safari. (Apr. 9 or 24)
Ages 21+. Offered on April 9 or 24 with a leopard and tokay gecko theme. Join us for an adults only program where you not only get to create memories but a painting of one of our amazing animals as well. Each month offers a different animal theme to paint. Spend the evening at the Zoo strolling through animal exhibits, enjoying an adult beverage, meeting animals up-close and creating a masterpiece! Registration is required.
Hands-On Homeschool: Our Blooming Planet
Ages 1st-8th grades. Join us April 12 as we buzz into the vibrant world of pollinators as we discover the fascinating dance between plants and their wild allies! Join us as we investigate the crucial role animals play in shaping the biodiversity of our planet. Registration is required.
Kinder Kingdom: Rumble in the Jungle
Ages 4-5 years. Swing into action as we learn about the diverse and fascinating lives of primates. Through the lush canopies and dense foliage, we will uncover the mysteries of the jungle’s treetop acrobats. Registration is required.
Stroller Safaris: Magnificent Migrators (May 3, 16, 25, 29)
Ages 1-4 years with adult. Offered: May 3,16, 25, 29. Things are finally warming up outside and that means animals will be moving back to their “summer homes” soon. This month we will learn what migration is and meet some animals who are master migrators! Registration is required and open online now.
Hands-On Homeschool: Waterside Wonders
Ages 1st-8th grades. Offered on May 3. Make the start of your summer a splash by joining us in this wet and wild adventure. Learners will explore the remarkable lives of semi-aquatic animals, from playful river otters to stealthy crocodilians. Together we will discover the adaptations that allow these creatures to navigate both the terrestrial and aquatic realms. . Registration is required.
Outdoor School: Conservation Photography
Ages: Middle & High School. Enjoy a morning of photographing animals & nature at the zoo! Alongside zoo educators, you’ll learn some basic photography tips & tricks while also discovering how taking photos of our wild world can help play a role in conservation. *Purchase of program includes daytime admission for participants Registration is required.
Kinder Kingdom – Rainbows of Nature
Ages 4-5 years. From dazzling birds to the patterns of aquatic life, we will highlight the diverse and colorful wonders of the animal world. This vivid journey through the zoo will spark curiosity for the beauty that surrounds us. Registration is required.
World Tapir Day Celebration
Join us and celebrate tapirs during your visit to the Zoo! Discover an educational booth about Tapirs, a 10 a.m. Tapir Enrichment demo, and at 1:30 p.m. a special Tapir Keeper Talk with a chance to meet Mochi (weather permitting). Advance admission required. Purchase your timed etickets online now.
Paint. Sip. Safari. (May 7 or 22)
Ages 21+. Offered on May 7 or 22 with a Rocky Mountain goat theme. Join us for an adults only program where you not only get to create memories but a painting of one of our amazing animals as well. Each month offers a different animal theme to paint. Spend the evening at the Zoo strolling through animal exhibits, enjoying an adult beverage, meeting animals up-close and creating a masterpiece! Registration is required.
Special Stroller Safaris: Mother’s Day (May 11)
Ages 1-4 years with adult. Offered: Saturday, May 11. This special holiday Mother's Day Stroller Safari is all about our Magnificent Moms….including you! Come join us for a fabulous fun adventure as we visit other mother’s around the Zoo! Registration is required and open online now.
Annual Zoo Plant Sale (May 16, 17 & 18)
Join us at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for our annual plant sale: Thursday - Saturday, May 16, 17 & 18, while supplies last. All proceeds benefit the Zoo. A diverse selection of plant species are available, including vegetables, herbs and native perennials. All the plants are grown in Colorado, and most are grown right here at CMZoo. Not sure what you need? Our experienced horticulture staff can help you navigate the many types of available species. You're sure to find the perfect additions for your yard, patio or garden! Access the Plant Sale via the Zoo admissions area (look for signs). Sales are in-person only. No reservation or Zoo admission required. (Please note: NO shipping or delivery is available; sale is in-person only, no online sales.)
Run to the Shrine (May 18 & 19)
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo invites all ages of world class runners and families alike to Run to the Shrine, offered on the evenings of Saturday, May 18 and Sunday May 19, 2024. Run to the Shrine is a 4-mile run/walk course that curves through the Zoo, up to the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun and back down into the Zoo. Run to the Shrine has become an annual Cheyenne Mountain Zoo tradition, and it is the only time that guests are allowed to travel up to the Shrine of the Sun by foot! In addition, Run to the Shrine is an important fundraiser for the Zoo. Registration is required. (Saturday, May 18 is SOLD OUT, but tickets are still available for Sunday, May 19.)
World Tree Kangaroo Day
All ages. Join us for exciting activities planned in Australia Walkabout to help raise awareness for tree kangaroo conservation. This event and all activities are included in the price of your daytime admission to CMZoo. Please note: advance tickets to the Zoo are required for members and the general public, and some days may sell out.
World Turtle Day Celebration
All ages. Join us for exciting activities planned in Scutes Family Gallery and The Loft to help raise awareness for turtle conservation. This event and all activities are included in the price of your daytime admission to CMZoo. Please note: advance tickets to the Zoo are required for members and the general public, and some days may sell out.
Outdoor School: Teen Naturalist Training Series
Ages: Middle school & High School. A series of four workshops: June 2, 9, 23, 30. These workshops will hone in on developing the necessary skills to be a future steward of the environment. This series is only offered as a full 4 week course consisting of 12 hours of classroom and in-the-field learning. Our 4 workshops will cover the following topics: Mammalogy, Ornithology, Herpetology & Entomology. Through hands-on and experiential opportunities we’ll study such concepts as Ecology, Biology, and Conservation all while being in the unique setting of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Join us as we learn how to best protect our local wildlife and wild places. Registration is required.
Unique & Differing Needs Day Camps (Ages 7-11) – Harmonious Habitats
*Ages 7-11. Offered on Saturday, June 8, Friday, June 20, Friday, July 12 & Tuesday, July 23. *This camp is specially designed for campers ages 7 -11 with autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorders, developmental disabilities/delays or medical fragility. In this series, we will adventure into nature’s playground and discover the magic of jungles, deserts, aquatic, and underground realms. Together we will uncover how every habitat is different and unique, but necessary for the survival of all animals. You are welcome to sign up for just one evening or all four; each program will highlight different habitats through unique experiences. (One caregiver may also attend this camp without an additional fee.) Registration is required and opens online Feb. 1, 2024.