Dave Ruhl has a new nametag as of this week! After six years at CMZoo, with nearly three years as executive vice president, Dave is CMZoo’s president & CEO. Dave’s keen to connect with CMZoo members and the community, and in his typical approachable fashion, he humored the Zoo’s communications team by answering twenty-six questions, in honor of 2026 – the Zoo’s centennial year.
Dave will be at the next Member Appreciation Night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wed., June 24, and looks forward to mingling with members then! More information on Member Summer Nights is available here:
1. How would you describe yourself in three words?
Curious. Caring. Optimistic.
2, You have been integral in the design and construction of the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe for the past six years. What are your favorite:
– Animal welfare improvement features?
In the wild, giraffe make hundreds of decisions every day. They choose where to spend their time, whether they want sun or shade, what they want to browse on, and who they want to be around.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that the new center gives our giraffe more opportunities to make those same kinds of choices. They have access to different temperature zones, different feeding opportunities, different substrates under their feet, varying amounts of shade, and a variety of spaces to explore.
The more choices we can provide, the more control animals have over their daily lives, and that’s a huge part of providing excellent animal welfare.
– Member and guest experience features?
The number of different ways guests can experience giraffe.
Feeding giraffe has always been one of the most memorable things you can do at CMZoo, and when the Giraffe Center opens, there will be more ways than ever to do it.
Guests will be able to meet giraffe from more than 10 different feeding locations throughout the habitat. Some moments will be eye-to-eye. Some will be toe-to-toe. Some will be somewhere in between. The giraffe will have choices, and so will our guests.
Add in the rope bridge, adventure play, great landscaping, and fully accessible pathways, and you’ve got a completely new way to experience giraffe.
What excites me most is that it won’t feel the same every day. Every visit will offer something a little different, and I think that’s what will keep people coming back.
3. What’s the No. 1 question you’re being asked since accepting the role as president & CEO, and what’s your answer?
Probably some version of, “Has it sunk in yet?”
Honestly, not completely. I’ve loved this Zoo since my first day here, so it’s still pretty surreal to be stepping into this role.
4. What kinds of animals do you share your home with?
About five years ago, we adopted our golden retrievers, Charlie Bao Bao and MeiMei, through a rescue organization that saves dogs from the meat trade in China and helps place them with families in the United States.
They’ve been part of our family ever since, and honestly, we share just about everything with them—our home, our couch, our bed, and our mountain backyard in Woodland Park.
Charlie Bao Bao got his name because he loves giving hugs. One interpretation of “Bao Bao” is “hugger,” and that fits him perfectly. Mei Mei means “beautiful,” which also suits her well.
They are incredibly awesome fur kids, and I may be biased, but I think they’re the best dogs on the planet. Before you ask – yes, they have been to Dog Days at the Zoo and they loved it.
5. When you’re not at the Zoo, what do you do for fun?
When I’m not at the Zoo, I enjoy staying active and spending time outdoors. I play soccer and softball on the Zoo’s recreational teams, and I manage our soccer team. I also enjoy hiking, running (at least occasionally), exploring Colorado in my truck, camping, and squeezing in Orangetheory Fitness or hot yoga whenever I can.
That said, one of my favorite places to be is at home in Woodland Park. My partner, Erin, and I love mountain living, and having wildlife right outside our door still feels like a dream. Whether it’s deer in the yard, a black bear passing through, or just enjoying the peace and quiet, it’s hard to beat.
And if I’m being completely honest, I love my job so much that sometimes I’ll sit in the backyard with my laptop, catching up on ideas and projects while taking in the mountain views. For me, that’s a pretty great afternoon.
6. What do you hope to preserve and protect about CMZoo?
There are so many things we do well here, from creating and maintaining engaging animal habitats to preserving or restoring historic attractions like the carousel, creating new EdVenture programs and guest spaces so all feel welcome and supported at our Zoo, to name a few. I’m committed to preserving the experience we’re known for: making close connections with our animals and supporting their wild conservation. There’s an excellent team in place who will drive those efforts with my support. My biggest focus is on the people who make this place so special for our animals and our community.
I’ve always believed that if we create a place where people feel supported, challenged, and appreciated, great things happen.
My goal is for CMZoo to be known not only as one of the best zoos in the country, but also as one of the best places to work. When we get that right, everything else gets better—from animal care to guest experiences to conservation.
7. How do you envision CMZoo growing its conservation impact?
I think conservation starts with caring.
And people care most about what they know and what they’ve experienced.
Every time a guest meets an animal up close, learns its story, or falls in love with a species, we have an opportunity to create a future conservationist. If we keep creating those moments, our conservation impact will keep growing.
8. What do you believe is the single most important thing you can do to serve our members and the Colorado Springs community?
Listen.
People care deeply about this Zoo, and I want to make sure their voices continue to help shape its future.
9. The Pikes Peak Region is packed with incredible places to connect with nature. Outside of the Zoo, what’s your favorite local outdoors spot?
The Crags is probably my favorite hike, but what I love most is living in Woodland Park.
Having wildlife in our yard and mountains outside our window every day is pretty special. It’s something I appreciate every single morning.
10. What’s your favorite area at the Zoo?
Honestly, it depends on the day.
One of the perks of this job is that I get to walk around a world-class zoo. Some days I’m drawn to Water’s Edge: Africa or Rocky Mountain Wild. Other days I end up somewhere completely different.
My favorite part isn’t really a place. It’s seeing a guest light up when they connect with an animal, or watching our team do what they do best. That’s what makes the Zoo special to me.
11. What’s the most incredible species at the Zoo, in your opinion, and why?
That’s a tough question because the more you learn about animals, the harder it is to pick just one.
Every species has something remarkable about it.
If I had to choose, I’d probably say penguins. Most people think of them as cute, but they’re incredibly resilient animals. They thrive in challenging environments, navigate huge distances, and move through the water with incredible grace. Someone once told me penguins “fly in the water,” and after watching them swim, I think that’s exactly right.
The more you learn about them, the more fascinating they become.
12. How do you intend to stay engaged with Zoo members and our community?
By being accessible and listening.
One of the reasons I love working at CMZoo is that it’s such a personal place. I enjoy walking the Zoo, attending member events, and hearing what people love about this place.
I also spend a lot of time out in the community through the Chamber, local organizations, and community events. You’ll rarely see me without Zoo gear on because it almost always starts a conversation. Before long, someone is sharing a favorite Zoo memory, talking about an animal they love, or telling me what CMZoo means to their family.
I’m naturally more of a listener than a talker, and I learn a lot from those conversations. They help me better understand what makes this Zoo so special to our members and our community.
If you see me around the Zoo or out in the community, please say hello. I’d love to meet you.
13. What’s your favorite CMZoo conservation project, and why?
What excites me most isn’t any one project—it’s our approach to conservation.
One of the things I love about CMZoo is that we work closely with our conservation partners to understand the challenges they’re facing. When there’s a problem to solve, we look for ways to help, whether that’s through expertise, conservation funding, donor support or bringing people together around a solution.
It’s a philosophy that’s been part of CMZoo for a long time, and it’s something I want to continue and expand.
I also have a special appreciation for conservation work happening right here in Colorado. Whether it’s the black-footed ferret breed-and-release program, owl research, black bear research, native species conservation or other local efforts, I love seeing the impact we can have in our own backyard.
14. What’s your favorite animal at CMZoo, and why?
Napoleon the penguin.
Most people expect me to say giraffe, but it’s actually Napoleon.
Napoleon came to CMZoo from the Toledo Zoo, where I spent 15 years before continuing my zoo career and eventually making my way to Colorado Springs. The first time I met him, we became instant friends.
He’s got a big personality, a great story, and he’s the reason there’s a penguin in my LinkedIn profile picture. I like to joke that we’re both Toledo transplants who eventually found a home at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
15. You’ve been at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for six years. What do you think the Zoo can do better?
One of the things I’ve learned about CMZoo is that we’re never satisfied with standing still.
We have incredible animal care, a passionate team, and a strong connection to our community. But if there’s one area where I think we can continue to raise the bar, it’s how we invest in and support our people.
As I said earlier, my goal is for CMZoo to be known not only as one of the best zoos in the country, but also as one of the best places to work. When people feel valued, supported, and inspired, amazing things happen for our animals, our guests, and our community.
I think we’re already a great place to work. I want us to become even better.
16. Do you have a favorite dessert?
Yes! I love dessert!
Let’s just say I didn’t get into running because I dislike dessert.
Ice cream, peanut butter, chocolate, and cheesecake are probably my top picks.
Dessert is one of the main reasons Orangetheory and hot yoga continue to have my business.
17. In light of the Zoo’s centennial year, what’s your favorite CMZoo historical fun fact or story?
It’s not one specific story; it’s the fact that CMZoo has been creating memories for families for 100 years.
I’ve met grandparents who visited as children, who brought their kids, and who are now bringing their grandkids.
Very few organizations get to be part of people’s lives across multiple generations like that. I think that’s pretty special, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly as we begin our second century.
18. What’s one exhibit or space at the Zoo that you want to improve next?
I have plenty of ideas, but one thing I’ve learned over the years is that if the CEO shares their idea first, it can unintentionally limit creativity.
As we update our strategic plan and master plan, I want the process to be inclusive and collaborative. We have incredibly talented staff, dedicated members, community partners, and supporters who all bring valuable perspectives to the table.
My role isn’t to dictate the vision. It’s to help bring out the best ideas, ask good questions, and help us build a shared vision for the Zoo’s future.
That said, I can promise we’re not done dreaming. The next century of CMZoo is going to be exciting.
19. What are your top-three favorite albums of all time?
I might be the wrong person to ask because my answer changes with my mood.
I love live music and lean toward rock, but my playlists are all over the place. Depending on the day, you might find classic rock, Taylor Swift, ’90s country, Five Finger Death Punch, or just about anything in between.
I’ve even gone through a country music phase and would probably describe myself as a part-time Swiftie.
The truth is, I connect more with individual songs than entire albums. Music is one of those things that changes with the season, the road trip, the workout, or whatever life happens to be throwing at me that day.
20. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
It’s not a specific quote or piece of advice, but rather a mindset that great leaders helped create within me.
Believe in people before they believe in themselves.
I’ve been fortunate to have had leaders throughout my career who saw potential in me that I couldn’t always see myself. I try to do the same for others.
Some of the most rewarding moments in leadership come from watching someone accomplish something they never thought they could do.
21. What is your favorite movie of all time?
It’s a Wonderful Life.
I’ve probably watched it more times than I can count, and it never gets old.
At its heart, it’s a story about purpose, community, and the impact one person can have on the lives of others, often without fully realizing it. That’s a message that resonates with me personally and professionally.
Plus, it’s just not Christmas until I’ve watched it at least once.
22. If you had to pick one thing you’re most excited to have the opportunity to achieve in this role, what would it be?
If I had to pick one thing, it would be creating an environment where great people can do the best work of their lives.
CMZoo already has an incredible culture, a talented team, and a mission that matters. The opportunity to invest in our people, help them grow, and support them in achieving things they never thought possible is what excites me most.
If we get that right, everything else gets better: animal care, conservation, guest experiences, and our impact on the community.
That’s the kind of legacy I’d be proud to help build.
23. Which department, service line or ‘lane’ at the Zoo are you most excited to learn more about in your new role? What do you know that you don’t know, but are excited to learn?
That’s a little like asking which one of your dogs is your favorite.
One of the things I love about zoos is that there’s always something new to learn.
I’ve spent a lot of time working in some areas of the organization, but there are plenty of others where I’m looking forward to deepening my understanding. Every department has experts who are passionate about what they do, and I enjoy learning from them.
The older I get, the more I realize how much I don’t know. That’s not intimidating to me—it’s exciting.
24. How do you like to disconnect and decompress?
It depends on the day.
Sometimes it’s sitting in my backyard in Woodland Park and enjoying the peace and quiet. Sometimes it’s hiking, playing soccer or softball, or getting outside with the dogs.
Other times it’s sharing a good meal, a bourbon ,or a cocktail with friends and family.
What all of those things have in common is that they help me slow down, appreciate the people around me and enjoy the mountain lifestyle that Erin and I love so much.
25. What does success for the Zoo look like at the end of your first year?
Success would mean that our animals are thriving, our team feels cared for and supported, our members are proud of their Zoo, and our community continues to believe in our mission.
I’d also hope we’ve spent the year listening, learning, and laying the groundwork for the Zoo’s next century.
If, at the end of the year, people feel optimistic about where we’re headed and confident that we’re staying true to our mission and values, I’d consider that a success.
26. How do you plan to sustain the legendarily positive and motivated staff culture at CMZoo?
By listening, caring, and being willing to take a shot.
The culture at CMZoo is one of our greatest strengths, and it exists because generations of people have bravely invested in each other and in this mission.
I believe we should be just as creative in how we care for our staff as we are in how we care for our animals. That means listening to people, trying new ideas, and being willing to take some chances along the way.
One of my favorite lessons comes from Michael Jordan, who famously missed more game-winning shots than he made. The reason people remember him isn’t because he never failed—it’s because he kept taking the shot.
We’ll keep listening, learning, and looking for new ways to support our team. Some ideas will work better than others, but we’ll never stop trying to make this an even better place to work and grow.