Historic Photo Recreation Contest

In honor of our centennial year, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo invites you to step back in time with our Historic Photo Recreation Contest! Recreate a favorite old photo at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for a chance to win exciting prizes.

THEME: Recreate a Historic Photo
TIMEFRAME: May – September 7, 2026
HOW TO ENTER: Submit your original photo and your recreated version using the online form below.

Don’t forget to share on social media! Tag us @cheyennemountainzoo

Contest Rules

Eligibility

• Open to U.S. residents 18 and older.
• Contestants under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian submit the entry and sign any required model releases.
• CMZoo Employees/volunteers/docents/board members are eligible and encouraged to participate.

Entry Requirements

Submit 2 images:
– Original historic photo (crop if needed for privacy)
– Recreated version
Both images must be taken at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
No AI-generated images, watermarks or digital alterations beyond basic adjustments (cropping, color correction, exposure)
Recreation should clearly reference the original image (pose, people, setting)
Creativity encouraged (modern twists, humor, etc.)
Please submit your photos for the contest as high-resolution .jpg files.
Photographers must obtain and be able to provide proof of consent from any identifiable guests featured in their photos, using the Model Photographic Image Releases and Waiver Form PDF in the Additional Guidelines below. Submissions without a completed Model Release Form will be disqualified.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded in the following three categories:
1) Time Traveler Award
2) Plot Twist Award
3) Generations Later

Prizes include:

• CMZoo Regular Daytime Admission Passes
• Centennial Swag
• Featured on CMZoo’s website and social media channels

Voting & Judging

Learn more about the careful consideration behind each prize category's selection process below.
Submissions will be judged by CMZoo creative professionals based on creativity, originality, composition, storytelling, technical quality, and adherence to theme.

Additional Guidelines

– Safety First: Stay on public pathways; no crossing barriers or disrupting animals/guests.
– Prohibited: Drones, flash photography near animals, or commercial use of images without prior Zoo approval.
– Disqualifications: Photos violating Zoo policies, depicting unsafe behavior, lacking required permissions or not adhering to all Contest Rules. Disqualifications will not receive any notification.
– Model Release Form: Download Model Photographic Image Releases and Waiver Form PDF
– Questions or concerns: Contact [email protected].