The Giraffe Project
Something Big is Coming…
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is known for our large herd of reticulated giraffe and soon, you’ll be able to experience them in a whole new way! We are building a brand-new 12,000-square-foot giraffe barn, creating an expanded and more diverse giraffe outdoor habitat, constructing an outdoor aviary for our African vultures, and many other improvements to advance animal care and help our guests fall in love with giraffe in a completely new way.
A New Giraffe Building
It’s hard to believe, but our African Rift Valley exhibit, home to our renowned giraffe herd was built more than 20 years ago! In that time, we’ve learned a lot about providing world-class giraffe care, becoming recognized as a leader in the field. The new 12,000 square-foot barn will reflect our growing expertise and commitment to giraffe.
The new barn is all about choice for both giraffe and guests! Giraffe will have opportunities to interact with guests in new and exciting ways, as well as engaging in enriching activities in their habitat independent of keepers and guests. Our goal is to fill each giraffe’s day with positively reinforcing activities, such as exploring new spaces, munching on browse or taking advantage of some quiet time. With a large herd of giraffe that has various preferences and different personalities, we are excited to create an exhibit filled with meaningful choices.
Larger, Complex Outdoor Living Space
The relocation of CMZoo’s main road allows us to expand the giraffe yard to the west. The expanded yard will have additional spaces for giraffe to discover, and included a new feeding tower to encourage giraffe to navigate the hills of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for the first time! The larger, more geographically diverse yard will provide the herd with new space to explore, contributing to their hoof health and overall well-being. We are also expanding the giraffe bull yard for Khalid and friends.
Watch Bob's Blueprints Videos
Join Cheyenne Mountain Zoo President & CEO, Bob Chastain, as we share behind-the-scenes updates on our historic construction efforts. Constructing a state-of-the-art giraffe habitat and care center with beautiful and functional guest spaces – including a gift shop, café and admissions plaza – on the side of a mountain is no easy feat. We’ll provide behind-the-scenes looks as the construction team makes progress, shares innovations and overcomes obstacles in a video series called, Bob’s Blueprints: Building a World-Class Zoo.
And so much more!
Giraffe Expansion Site Plan
Click to enlarge(pinch/zoom)
Coming in 2026
This Project is BIG!
Whether you can give $25 or $25,000, every dollar helps. And we’d love for you to be a part of it. As one of only a handful of AZA-accredited zoos that operates without tax support, we are able to continue to build and improve exhibits because of friends like you.
Your gift to CMZoo’s Giraffe Project will make a BIG difference! We can’t wait to complete this spectacular project for our herd- and we’re so glad you’ll be a part of it! Thank you for supporting the herd!
- Gifts of any size make a difference and are deeply appreciated.
- Gifts of $1,000 or more will be listed on donor signage at the Giraffe Center
- If you’re considering a gift of $5,000 or more, please reach out to Kelley Parker, Director of Development 719 424 7810, to discuss this incredible project!
Thank You to Our Project Partners
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