Summer Photo Contest

Explore Section

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo invites you to capture summer at the Zoo in our new photo contest! Submit your best shot taken at the Zoo this summer for a chance to win exciting prizes.

THEME: Summer Safari
TIMEFRAME: June 1 – August 31, 2025
HOW TO ENTER: Submit via the online form below.

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

Winners will be announced September 15, 2025 via social media channels and contacted by email.

Contest Rules
  • Limit one photo entry per photographer per month (3 total).
  • 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.
  • Zoo employees, docents, and board members are ineligible.
  • Photos must be taken at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo between June 1 – August 31, 2025. Photos not taken between June 1, 2025 and August 31, 2025 will be disqualified.
  • Winning images must show our animals in a caring and respectful light.
  • No watermarks, digital alterations beyond basic adjustments (cropping, exposure), or AI-generated elements.
  • Please submit your photo for the contest as a high-resolution .jpg.
  • 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:

Judges’ Pick:
• 4 Daytime Admission Passes
• Featured on CMZoo’s website and social media

Animal’s Choice:
• 2 Daytime Admission Passes + 2 Animal Feeding Punch Cards
• Social media shoutout

People’s Choice:
• 2 Event Tickets to: Boo at the Zoo or September Tails, Tunes, & Tastes
• Social media shoutout

Voting & Judging

Learn more about the careful consideration behind each prize category's selection process below.

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].


Search