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ANNUAL HOLIDAY LIGHTS CELEBRATION CONTINUES THROUGH SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2022 – USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards today announced that Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Electric Safari ranked third in the national Best Zoo Lights category for the third year in a row. This is the sixth year running that Electric Safari has ranked in the top ten.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 31st annual month-long celebration of the season continues through Saturday, Jan. 1 (except Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24), featuring 50 acres of twinkling lights, 60 artisan-made light sculptures and breathtaking nighttime city views. New this year, giant illuminated animal inflatables, including a 30-foot tall inflatable giraffe duo, add to the holiday celebration.

Electric Safari wouldn’t be complete without visiting select animal exhibits. Electric Safari offers paid feeding opportunities with CMZoo’s famous giraffe herd and budgie flock. Water’s Edge: Africa, the giraffe barn, the elephant and rhino barn, the African lion relaxation room, Rocky Mountain Wild (except grizzly bears), Asian Highlands, Scutes Family Gallery and Budgie Buddies are open.

Advance e-tickets are required for members and the general public, and they are going fast! Members and their accompanying paying guests are granted early admission with a reserved ticket from 4 to 5 p.m. Admission closes at 7:30 p.m. Electric Safari ends at 8:30 p.m. Some entry times and nights are sold out; check availability and reserve tickets now at cmzoo.org/electric.

Electric Safari is supported by our partners at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs Pediatric Dentistry, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, U.S. Bank and your Colorado Springs Toyota dealers. For more information, visit: cmzoo.org/electric.

About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2021, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #4 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #3 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 242 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just a few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.

NAMED THIRD BEST ZOO LIGHTS IN U.S. IN 2020, ELECTRIC SAFARI IS AGAIN NOMINATED FOR NATIONAL USA TODAY READERS’ CHOICE RANKING – More than 50 acres of twinkling lights, 60 artisan-made light sculptures, breathtaking nighttime city views and the nearby sound of roaring lions can only mean one thing in Colorado Springs: Electric Safari is back. New this year, giant illuminated animal inflatables add to the holiday celebration.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 31st annual month-long celebration of the season will begin Friday, Dec. 3 through Sunday, Dec. 5, and continue Friday, Dec. 10 through Saturday, Jan. 1, excluding Christmas Eve. Members and their accompanying paying guests are granted early admission with a reserved ticket from 4 to 5 p.m. General admission is from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Electric Safari ends at 8:30 p.m.

Electric Safari is free for CMZoo members, and members can attend as often as they’d like! To manage on-site parking throughout the event, advance timed tickets are required for members and the general public. Get tickets and more details at cmzoo.org/electric.

Attendees will enjoy lit trees, structures and sculptures, installed by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s grounds team over four months. Brand-new larger-than-life illuminated animal inflatables will decorate the Zoo this year, making extra special backdrops for holiday photos. If all of those beautiful lights don’t un-Scrooge even the Grinchiest of holiday grumps, a cup of hot cocoa and a visit with Santa ought to do the trick.

Kris Kringle will be in Safari Lodge through Dec. 23 to hear holiday wishes, collect lists and pose for free photos. The Mountaineer Sky Ride will be open (weather permitting) for incredible once-a-year views of the holiday nighttime glow of Colorado Springs from the mountainside.

Grizzly Grill, Cozy Goat, Pizza with a View and Elson’s will be open to serve food and beverages. The Thundergod gift shop is open every night to serve hot cocoa. Guests can roast s’mores and sip hot cocoa at Rocky Mountain BBQ Co on Saturdays and Sundays. Dippin’ Dots in Rocky Mountain Wild will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays to serve hot cocoa. Warming outdoor heaters throughout the Zoo help keep visitors warm in between the indoor animal exhibits.

Electric Safari was named Third Best Zoo Lights in the nation the last two years, by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and has once again been nominated. Supporters can vote once daily at cmzoo.org/lights through 10 a.m. MST on Monday, Dec. 6. Winners will be announced Friday, Dec. 17.

About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

November might be almost over, but the holiday season has just begun! Finding the right gifts can sometimes be the most challenging part of the holidays. If you are stumped on the perfect gifts to surprise your loved ones, don’t worry. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has you covered.

Small mammals, reptiles and birds at The Loft are making special holiday ornaments available for purchase in-person at The Loft.

“Most of our animals who live at The Loft have the choice to participate in painting sessions,” said Kevin Pellow, animal care manager in The Loft and My Big Backyard. “Depending on the species doing the painting, they can participate in a variety of ways. Most of them really enjoy the activity, and if they don’t, it’s totally up to them to move away.”

Kale, the North American porcupine who visits from Rocky Mountain Wild, walks through non-toxic paint and then onto a canvas, leaving multicolored footprints and spiky tail smudges in her path. A tasty treat awaits her at the end of the canvas. Mister, the Eclectus parrot, holds a paintbrush in his foot, making traditional brushstrokes on a canvas for a reward. Fred and George run through paint and then step onto a canvas with their usual quickness. Their ‘masterpieces’ include imprints of their paw pads and whispy accents created by their furry bellies and tails.

“We have canvases available for purchase throughout the year, but we and the animals make special items for the holidays, too,” said Pellow. “This year, we’re offering wrapping paper decorated by the animals, in addition to large canvases, smaller tree ornaments and star-shaped tree toppers.”

The painting sessions are a win-win-win: the animals can enjoy an enriching training session, our guests get to take home a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork, and the funds raised support the Zoo’s ongoing animal care, improvements and operations. The art available online and in-person ranges in price from $15 to $49.

Consider picking up unique artwork painted by a truly wild artist. Many animals at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are artists and can participate in painting one-of-a-kind creations that are sure to spark conversation and brighten any space.

Pieces are available for purchase online (and can be shipped anywhere in the U.S.) or in-person at The Loft. If you really want to “wow” your loved ones, you can purchase a gift certificate to create a painting alongside an animal artist!

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More than 50 acres of twinkling lights, over 60 artisan-made light sculptures, breathtaking nighttime city views and the nearby sound of roaring African lions can only mean one thing in Colorado Springs: Electric Safari is back. This year, CMZoo is taking it to another level with the additions of light displays synchronized to music and giant illuminated animal inflatables that make a perfect backdrop for unique holiday photos with friends and family. Make plans now to see why Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Electric Safari was voted third best Zoo Lights in the nation by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2020 and 2019. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 9 a.m. MT at cmzoo.org/electric.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 31st annual month-long celebration of the season will begin Friday, Dec. 3 through Sunday, Dec. 5, and continues Friday, Dec. 10 through Saturday, Jan. 1. On Friday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, Electric Safari is closed, but the Zoo is open for daytime admission from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming our members and guests back to this Colorado Springs holiday tradition, and we can’t wait for everyone to see the brand-new musical light displays and larger-than-life illuminated inflatable animals,” said Amanda Ulrich, CMZoo special events manager. “Our amazing grounds and maintenance teams work for four months to light up the Zoo for our community. We’ve been working hard to prepare for Electric Safari and to continue improving the event. I can’t wait to see the joy on everyone’s faces as they bundle up and explore our magical winter wonderland!”

Electric Safari admission is free for CMZoo members. Advance timed e-tickets are required for members and non-members. As a way to thank CMZoo members, they and their accompanying paying guests are granted early admission from 4 to 5 p.m. General admission is from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and the event ends at 8:30 p.m. Guests have a 30-minute entry window, beginning at the time they select when reserving tickets, and are then welcome to stay until the event ends. On Electric Safari dates, the Zoo closes for daytime admission at 3:30 p.m. to prepare for Electric Safari. All parking for Electric Safari will be on-site at the Zoo.

“One of my favorite parts of the event is seeing kids’ faces light up when they see Santa,” said Ulrich. “There’s usually a happy gasp followed by, ‘There’s Santa!’ when they first spot him. Santa has been attending this event for many years, and he loves to take time talking to our guests and posing for holiday photos.”

Kris Kringle will be in Safari Lodge through Dec. 23 to hear holiday wishes, collect lists and pose for free photos (just bring a camera!). The Mountaineer Sky Ride will be open (be in line for the Sky Ride by 7:30 p.m.; $3 per ticket; free for guests 2 and under; weather permitting) to provide incredible once-a-year views of the nighttime glow of Colorado Springs’ holiday lights as a backdrop from the mountainside of dancing and twinkling lights.

Electric Safari wouldn’t be complete without visits with CMZoo’s animals! Most animal exhibits are open, and guests can enjoy feeding the world famous 17-member giraffe herd in their warm barn for $3 per lettuce bundle, or $5 for two bundles. Guests can also walk through the lights and displays while visiting animals in Water’s Edge: Africa (where they can visit CMZoo’s 4-month-old hippo calf, Omo, and his mom, Zambezi, his aunt, Kasai, and his dad, Biko) the elephant and rhino barn, African lions, Rocky Mountain Wild (except grizzlies), Asian Highlands, Scutes Family Gallery, The Loft, and Australia Walkabout. Primate World is closed during nighttime events.

Grizzly Grill, Cozy Goat, Pizza with a View, Elson’s Place and the gift shop will be open to serve food and beverages. Outdoor heaters throughout the Zoo help keep visitors warm in between the indoor animal exhibits.

Electric Safari is sponsored by Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs Pediatric Dentistry, Raising Cane’s, your Colorado Springs Toyota dealers and US Bank. For more information and to reserve required advance e-tickets starting Nov. 2, visit: cmzoo.org/electric.

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Colorado Springs has a robust community of homeschooling families, and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has some new and exciting education opportunities for supplemental learning! Hands-On Homeschool offers unique curriculum and activities for seasoned homeschoolers, or those who are just getting started.

CMZoo’s monthly Hands-On Homeschool programs focus on Colorado Department of Education school science standards through inquiry-based, hands-on exploration, and investigation of wild animals and wild places. Programs include curriculum-based experiential learning that focuses on a nature- and/or animal-related topic.

This drop-off program is not only designed for students to connect with animals and the Zoo, but to each other as well. Adults are encouraged to explore the Zoo on their own, or take advantage of the 3-hour class to enjoy a little “me time.” Our Zoo staff will provide a safe, welcoming and educational environment for students of all ages to engage.

Every program is designed to be age appropriate and therefore splits into two different age groups: first through fifth graders and sixth through eighth graders. All programs include Zoo admission for the student, activities and up-close meet-and-greets with an animal ambassador.

The next theme for sixth- to eighth-grade students explores the wonderful features of some of the Zoo’s oddest and most unique species. From axolotls’ external gills to emus’ double feathers, students are sure to be captivated by their new knowledge. Stay tuned for the next theme for first to fifth graders!

Registration is required for all Hands-On Homeschool programs, and space is limited in these small-group programs. Visit cmzoo.org/homeschool to get more information or to register. If you are interested in customizing your very own Hands-On Homeschool program, please email [email protected].

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TRICK-OR-TREAT AND VISIT THE ANIMALS DURING SEVEN NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will feel the Halloween spirit when little ghouls and goblins attend Boo at the Zoo, starting Saturday, October 16, 2021. This Colorado Springs Halloween tradition is a fun way for families to trick-or-treat and enjoy Halloween festivities in a unique environment. Boo at the Zoo is Oct. 16-17, 23-24, and 29-31 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Advance timed e-tickets are required and available at cmzoo.org/boo.

In addition to visiting select animal exhibits and trick-or-treating, frightfully fun attractions include a lighted pumpkin patch, a kid-friendly spooky haunted house, Ghoulish Graveyard and Pirates Cove. Attendees can also enjoy rides on the Mountaineer Sky Ride, weather permitting. The Sky Ride provides breathtaking views of Colorado Springs at night and a lift to two additional trick-or-treat stations at the top.

An elephant-sized amount of candy (4.5 tons) will be handed out at trick-or-treat stations throughout Boo at the Zoo. The Zoo’s candy supply is purchased from companies that are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which is committed to the use of sustainable palm oil and the protection of orangutan habitats in the wild. To find your own Halloween candy that’s orangutan-friendly, download CMZoo’s sustainable palm oil shopping guide at cmzoo.org/palmoil.

The Zoo will close for daytime admission on Boo nights at 3 p.m. Boo at the Zoo will go on, rain, snow or shine. As an all-weather venue, refunds and exchanges will not be honored for weather-related reasons. Be sure to bundle up on cold nights and enjoy a Colorado evening on the mountain!

SELECT ANIMAL EXHIBITS ARE OPEN, INCLUDING:
– African Rift Valley giraffe building
– African lions
– Australia Walkabout Budgie Buddies and wallaby building
– Encounter Africa elephant/rhino barn
– Goat Experience
– The Treehouse in My Big Backyard
– The Loft
– Scutes Family Gallery
– Water’s Edge: Africa

RESTAURANTS OPEN DURING BOO AT THE ZOO
– Grizzly Grill
– Pizza with a View
– Elson’s Place
– Cozy Goat (beverages only)

COSTUME REQUIREMENTS
For the safety of all guests, full-face costume masks and costume weapons may not be worn by guests 12 years of age or older. Masks worn by guests 11 years of age and younger must have openings that allow the eyes to be seen and that do not obstruct peripheral vision. Balloons are not allowed inside the Zoo (even as part of a costume) for the safety of our animals and wild animals.

TRICK-OR-TREAT BAGS
Support the Zoo’s efforts to reduce waste by bringing your own trick-or-treat bags!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are crucial to the success and safety of Boo at the Zoo. Positions include handing out or delivering candy, directing traffic and staffing the haunted house. All volunteers must be at least 13 years old. Volunteers ages 13-17 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or school advisor at all times. We will not assign specific positions until the evening of the event. Curious about volunteering for Boo at the Zoo? Visit cmzoo.org/boo.

FAST FACTS
Boo at the Zoo at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Dates: Oct. 16-17, 23-24, 29-31, 2021
4 to 8:30 p.m.
Advance timed e-tickets are required
www.cmzoo.org/boo

Boo at the Zoo is possible thanks to our generous partners, Black Bear Diner, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs Pediatric Dentistry, Earl & Earl Attorneys at Law, GFL Environmental, Les Schwab Tire Centers, and your Colorado Springs Toyota dealers, Larry H. Miller Toyota Colorado Springs and Larry H. Miller Liberty Toyota Colorado Springs.

About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2021, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #4 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #3 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 241 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of very few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.

If you have visited Cheyenne Mountain Zoo during the summer, you have probably seen teenagers in light blue t-shirts, contributing to the success of almost every area of the Zoo. These teens play an active role in engaging with guests, caring for animals, and gaining life skills like public speaking and professionalism. Summer might be the busiest time for teens to participate in these experiences, but there are other opportunities during the traditional school year, as well.

The CMZoo Teen Program also offers a winter session from Nov. 12, 2021 to Feb. 12, 2022. Applications for this four-month session will be accepted at cmzoo.org/teenprograms from Saturday, Oct. 16 through Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. Teens ages 12 to 18 gain experience with animal care, conservation, leadership and interpretation, and they connect with nature through interactive experiential education sessions on the Zoo’s Nature Trail. They’ll also see behind-the-scenes areas of the Zoo and learn alongside CMZoo’s team of animal keepers. Space is limited for this session, and applications are required.

For teens who would like to experience CMZoo’s Teen Programs without a long-term commitment, Community Programs are a great place to start. Community Programs are one-time sessions including offerings like Wilderness Survival Skills, Raptor Workshops (learning all about birds of prey and how to spot them in the wild), evening Zoo tours and Starlight Safaris, and Animal Photography. Each program is designed for teens to connect with the Zoo and nature, while bonding with each other with experiences that are truly unique. Learn more about each program and sign up at cmzoo.org/teenprograms.

Stay tuned to cmzoo.org/teenprograms, because there are always new and developing programs being launched for the 12-to-18-year-old age group. Whether it’s workshops on conservation and life skills, or internship opportunities for high schoolers, the website is the best place to find it all.

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ACTIVE DUTY AND VETERAN MILITARY MEMBERS RECEIVE 50% OFF ADMISSION FOR ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s annual Military Appreciation Week kicked off Monday, Sept. 13 and continues through Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. All active-duty, veteran and retired military members and their dependents who live in the same household will receive 50% off the base Zoo admission cost for the day and time they choose to attend. Timed-entry e-tickets are required and must be purchased in advance at cmzoo.org/military.

To validate their pre-purchased tickets at the front gate, military personnel and their dependents must present a valid military ID at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s admission booth. Accepted IDs include: a valid military / retired military ID; a copy of form DD214; state driver’s license printed with veteran indicator or military identifier; or ID issued by the VA, VFW or American Legion. If a service member is deployed or absent, dependents are still entitled to this discount with a spouse’s valid military ID.

Fast Facts

Military Appreciation Week at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Monday, September 13 through Sunday, September 19

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Advance e-tickets are required

Active-duty, veteran or retired military and their immediate family in the same household

50% off base Zoo admission

For more information and to purchase required advance e-tickets, visit: www.cmzoo.org/military

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Military Appreciation Week is possible because of the generous support of our partners, Black Bear Diner, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs Pediatric Dentistry, ENT Credit Union, and your Colorado Springs Toyota Dealers.

About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2020, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #4 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #3 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 241 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just a few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.

There are no ‘lazy days of summer’ for Jaxen Maynor. The 16-year-old has been hard at work alongside a group of teens who are tending to a garden as part of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Teen Program. The teens are growing tomatoes, rosemary, zucchini, kale, dill, parsley and more. They also have a plot dedicated to wildflowers, to support the pollinators who migrate through Colorado Springs each summer.

“I’m a huge plant nerd,” said Maynor. “I love potted plants and have grown bell peppers at home, but I’ve never taken care of an in-ground garden before. I have learned so much – and not just about plants.”

The teens are responsible for a total of 800 square feet of garden. It’s no small task for the team of dedicated teens, as any Colorado gardener knows. During three one-hours shifts per week, six CMZoo Teen Program participants tackle the work together, and it’s paying off. The group has already harvested kale, lettuce and zucchinis, all grown from seeds. Some of the produce comes back to the Zoo to supplement animals’ diets. Sometimes the teens get to take some home, too.

Maynor says he enjoys seeing his hard work pay off, when he can take a fresh leaf of kale home and add it to a yummy smoothie. But, the experiences he has at the garden plots are what makes this project really special.

“It’s so much more than watering and weeding,” said Maynor. “The time we spend out there as a group allows us to connect and learn from each other. We’ll see an insect or a bird that looks interesting and we’ll stop to admire it. Someone in the group always has some knowledge to share, and we’re all nature lovers, so we kind of bond over that common interest.”

Maynor says he has also enjoyed getting to know members of the community through this project. The teens’ garden plots are at Charmaine Nyman Community Garden at Bear Creek, where more seasoned gardeners also have nearby plots.

“We’ve been able to learn from other gardeners there, who we see throughout the summer while we all work on our gardens,” said Maynor. “We planted relatively late compared to other gardeners, so we’ve been able to ask questions and learn from them, since they’re a step ahead of us. It’s cool to be a part of that community, with people I may not have met otherwise.”

What once seemed like an overwhelming feat is now part of Maynor’s routine. He says he wants everyone to know that they can start small and have their own garden, even if it’s a patio of potted plants. For first-timers, Maynor recommends quickly-growing and somewhat-forgiving summer squash.

“I feel way better after working in the garden, and I really want everyone to experience that,” said Maynor. “It gives me a chance to cool down and just focus on this one thing. It’s relaxing and calming to be in nature, and so much more fun than I ever could have anticipated.”

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. To learn more about the Teen Program and how to apply, visit cmzoo.org/teenprograms.

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FOUR DATES, STARTING JUNE 24, OF LIVE LOCAL MUSIC AND YOUR FAVORITE ANIMALS – Ready for an adults-only night out with live music and your favorite CMZoo animals under the stars? Join us for Tails & Tunes on the last Thursday night of the month, June through September! The first summer music event of the season is Thursday, June 24 from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Enjoy a magical evening on the mountain, exclusively reserved for those age 21 and up. Local musicians will set the mood throughout the Zoo until 9:30 p.m. Feed the giraffe and visit most of our animals while you unwind on a cool Colorado summer evening on the mountain with five local bands and musicians at different locations around the Zoo.

Small plates will be available for purchase and your entry includes two drink tickets. Cash bars are also available.
Tickets are available now at cmzoo.org/tails

6 to 9:30 p.m.
—Thursday, June 24, 2021
—Thursday, July 29, 2021
—Thursday, August 26, 2021
—Thursday, September 30, 2021

This is a popular event and some dates may sell out, so don’t wait to get your tickets. They’re available now at cmzoo.org/tails. Thanks to our Tails & Tunes partners, Cordera and Green for Life!

Activities:

Feed the giraffe herd
Ride the Sky Ride
Enjoy five local musicians playing live as you travel through the Zoo
Visit your favorite animals
Watch the sunset from the mountainside
Play cornhole and other party games

Event Details:
– Advance tickets are required. No tickets sales at the front gate.
– Ticket purchase includes 2 drink tickets for use at any bar. Must be used the evening of the event. No outside alcoholic beverages are allowed.
– Small plates are available for purchase at our eateries.
– Full Zoo experience from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Animal exhibits close at 9:30 p.m.
– Live musical entertainment throughout the Zoo until 9:30 p.m.
– Mountaineer Sky Ride will have its last ride at 8 p.m. Be in line by 7:30 p.m. ($4 for Zoo members, $5 for non-members). Tickets available at Sky Ride cashier booth.
– General admission entrance from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
– Dress for a night of dancing, but remember you will be walking up and down the hills of the Zoo!
– Designate a driver, or better yet, don’t drive at all! Take a taxi or use a ride-sharing service like Lyft or Uber.

Food & Beverages:

Multiple Bar Locations (Drink ticket redemption and for purchase):

Grizzly Grill
– Signature Drink – Vodka Strawberry Lemonade
– Canned beer, wine and seltzers
– Blue Bayou ICEE
– Liquor available

Pizza with a View
– Beer and wine on tap
– Liquor available

Elson’s Place
– Signature Drink – Dole Whip Colada
– Canned beer, wine and seltzers

Rocky Mountain Barbeque Co.
– Signature Drink – Arnold Palmer
– Canned beer, wine and seltzers

Selections at our Food Outlets (for purchase):

Small Plates – $5 each

Grizzly Grill
– Double Wild Style Burger Slider – 2 Beef Patties, American Cheese, Grilled Onion, Wild Style Saus’ (Veggie Burger Available)
– Flam’n Hot Cheeto Coney Dog Slider – Nathan’s Hot Dog Slider, Chili, Cheese and Flam’n Hot Cheeto Crumble
– Dry Rub Super Crunch Wings Two Ways (Pick One)
— Jerk
— Garlic Herb (GF/DF)
– The Elvez Sundae – Vanilla Ice Cream, Jalapeno Bacon Praline, Banana, Tequila Caramel (GF)
– Truffle Herb or Garlic Parmesan Frites with Charred Lemon Garlic Aioli (GF/V)

Pizza with a View
– Roasted Lemon Truffle Brussels (GF/DF/V)
– Caprese – Fresh Mozzarella, Grape Tomato, Garlic Oil, Balsamic Gastric, Fresh Herbs (GF/V)
– Baguette Pizza Two Ways (Pick One)
— Garlic Oil, Béchamel, Mozzarella, Roasted Chicken, Bacon, Shaved Red Onion, Fresh Herbs
— Garlic Oil, Pesto, Mozzarella, Feta, Grana Padano, Ground Tomato (V)
– Cannoli’s

Elson’s Place
– Artisan Pretzel Bites with Beehive Beer Cheese (V)
– Pineapple Whip Soft Serve, Toasted Coconut, Lime (V/DF)

Rocky Mountain Barbecue Co.
– Hardwood Smoked BBQ Pork or Beef on a Cuban Roll with Pickles, Onions and Saus’ (DF)
– Pimento Cheese Crudité – RMBBQCO House Pimento Cheese, Celery, Carrot, Crusty Bread (V/DF)
– Elote – Roasted Corn on de Cob, Lime Aioli, Cotija Cheese, Tajin (V/GF)
– Blueberry Crumb Cake

About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2021, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #4 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #3 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 233 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of very few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.