News Archive

THE GIRAFFE CENTER OPENS LATER THIS SUMMER – On Thurs., May 28, CMZoo members and guests will be among the first to explore the brand-new admissions area, 200 Project sculptures, gift shop, and Longneck café, along with a first look at the future International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe (the Giraffe Center), . . .

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was ranked #2 Best Zoo in the country, in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2026! Dedicated CMZoo supporters voted daily for a month, and their commitment earned the Zoo a tie for its highest ranking ever – second place – for the second year in a row. According to popular vote . . .

CMZOO IS NOMINATED FOR BEST ZOO IN THE U.S. BY USA TODAY’s 10BEST READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS – Supporters can vote daily at cmzoo.org/vote. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been holding strong at the #2 spot in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Best Zoo in the U.S. contest. We’ve reached the point in the contest where the . . .

BOB CHASTAIN, PRESIDENT & CEO WILL RETIRE IN JUNE 2026 – After an international executive search, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Board of Directors announced today that they have elected Dave Ruhl, CMZoo’s current executive vice president, as the Zoo’s incoming president & CEO, effective June 12, 2026. “The Zoo’s future is in excellent hands with Dave . . .

CMZOO IS NOMINATED FOR BEST ZOO IN THE U.S. BY USA TODAY’SREADERS’ CHOICE AWARDS Supporters can vote daily at cmzoo.org/vote. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo wants you to vote for Sully – or Viv, or Som, or Digger, or Cora! For the tenth consecutive year, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is nominated for Best Zoo in the U.S. in . . .

We know. This is unheard of, but this is a big year and we want to celebrate the community that has supported the Zoo for 100 years! In 2026, CMZoo is celebrating 100 years of growth in animal care, conservation, education and community. We’re kicking off our centennial year with free daytime admission on Jan. . . .

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was ranked #2 Best Zoo in the country, in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2025! Dedicated CMZoo supporters voted daily for a month, and earned the Zoo its highest ranking ever. According to popular vote and the 10Best Readers’ Choice editors, who nominated 20 zoos for Best Zoo consideration, the top-ten . . .

CMZOO IS NOMINATED FOR BEST ZOO IN THE U.S. BY USA TODAY’S 10BEST READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS. SUPPORTERS CAN VOTE DAILY AT www.cmzoo.org/vote – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo had been holding strong at the #1 spot in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Best Zoo in the U.S. contest, but slipped to #2 over the weekend. We’ve reached . . .

CMZOO IS NOMINATED FOR BEST ZOO IN THE U.S. BY USA TODAY’s 10BEST READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS. SUPPORTERS CAN VOTE DAILY AT WWW.CMZOO.ORG/VOTE – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo wants you to vote for Omo – or Emmett, or Wednesday, or Chewy, or Cora! For the ninth consecutive year, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is nominated for Best Zoo in . . .

As we had hoped, all six participating Colorado Supreme Court justices unanimously ruled in our favor. In June 2023, the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP/NRP) filed a frivolous lawsuit aiming to remove the Zoo’s five aging African elephants from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The lawsuit was dismissed, and NhRP appealed that decision by taking it to the . . .