Cheyenne Mountain Zoo reviews

1653749696

Kendrick Gregory

google

Hi, Kendrick. For the last two years, weve required timed ticketing to enter the Zoo. I'm sorry those communications on here (Google Business), our website, our phone greeting, our social media channels, emails, media placements, and other vehicles didn't reach you. Colorado Springs has grown exponentially in recent years, and so has the popularity of the Zoo. We're doing our best to preserve the natural, peaceful and recharging experience we can provide, which means limiting the number of people in the Zoo. We cannot allow people to enter earlier than their ticketed entry time because we know each guest spends an average of 2.7 hours at the Zoo, and sticking to the necessary number of people parking and entering the Zoo throughout the day helps us manage the natural rotation of our on-site parking throughout each day. Please keep in mind that although you may see open parking spots at the time you arrive, those spots have been spoken for by guests and members who have already reserved their tickets in advance and will arrive in the next few timed ticket windows. Parking in those spots early can disrupt the natural flow that we have established through this process. If we allow some guests to enter early, that's unfair to others who would like to enter early, and I'm sure you can see why allowing all guests to enter early wouldn't work either. For this timed ticketing plan to work, we have to be consistent and fair to everyone and enforce our policies for everyone. We hope with a little more planning during our busier months - and on holiday weekends, like this weekend - you can come and visit the Zoo another time. Have a nice weekend.

1653752510

1

Horrible Zoo for the simple fact you have to schedule an appointment. Its a Zoo not a dentist appointment! Weirdo and no you cant come before the time you scheduled only in that 30mins window that they give you.

1654461432

Jason Phillips

google

Hello Jason. You are correct - parking is tight with our location on the mountainside, and on busy days, we often have to park motorcoaches off-site. Unfortunately, if we were to park a large vehicle on-site on a busy or sold-out day, it would prevent other guests with advance tickets from being able to find parking. On days when we aren't as busy, we accommodate motorcoaches on-site, when possible.

1654527966

1

Not motorcoach friendly. Had to drop group and park 5 miles off site. Would not recommend taking a group here by motorcoach.

1653957492

mna230

google

Thank you for your thoughtful review! We hope you can visit us again soon.

1654028005

5

Great combination of interesting animals, beautiful views, interactive exhibits - this zoo really is a treasure. The food is actually really great too - friend said the pizza is surprisingly good and the burgers, grain bowl, grilled chicken sandwich all have love and thought into them - not the normal cafeteria food I would expect at a zoo. Highlights were feeding the giraffes (who knew their tongues were so long and their heads were so big?!), seeing the penguins fly through the water, and the young orangutan interacting with my kids.

1654621026

Samuel Jeon

google

4

규모가 그렇게 크진 않지만, 코끼리 먹이 주기 등을 체험할 수 있어서 유익했네요. 하지만 너무 비싼 것은 흠...

1653794004

Zifeara Nightshade

google

Hi Zifeara. [Edit: sorry, we accidentally posted the wrong name here.] We have responded to your concerns on other channels, too, and hope we can ease your concerns. First, let me assure you that all of our animals are well cared for, provided enrichment and have both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Its often not easy to see all of the different areas they have access to at first glance. Our elephants not only enjoy their expansive outdoor yards, but they also have walking paths to and from their barn, as well as large indoor areas. Part of their care routine includes moving them between the spaces throughout each day. Many people aren't aware of their 2-acre 'vacation yard,' which is away from guest view. You can see a video of that area here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxVIq_Lt9oI&t=9s. Our zebras have the opportunity to roam in the large giraffe yard and our okapi has multiple spaces that can be available to him, both inside and outside. We're very proud of our elephant program, which is unique in zoo care. Many years ago, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo dedicated ourselves to providing homes for aging female elephants. Many zoos provide wonderful homes for young and breeding-age elephants, but werent specifically equipped to care for the age-related issues these massive creatures inevitably experience in their later years. We saw that as an opportunity to step up and create an environment and wellness program that could help them live their best lives in their golden years. The Wilgruen Elephant Center in Encounter Africa is a state-of-the-art facility designed to help address the complications that come with aging multi-ton animals that need medical assistance. Equipment includes a remote video surveillance system, a crane-and-hoist system that can lift a disabled elephant, and a care program that provides a safe area for weighing, veterinary care and husbandry training. In addition to the sand that staff bring into the barn to provide cushioning substrate, areas of the barn floors are rubberized, which helps ease the pressure of their impressive weight on their aging joints. Last year, our Zoo received its accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums - the gold standard for zoos and aquariums. During the accreditation inspection, animal welfare and habitats are an enormous focus. We not only received the accreditation, we received an entirely clean report, which means there was not a single concern reporter. That has only happened four times in the 50-year history of these accreditations.

1653755190

1

As someone who loves zoos, this is the worst zoo I've ever seen. Most of the animals have no room to move around and there are far too many girraffes crammed in to their one small enclosure. Went with my family this weekend and the absolute state their elephants were in actually made me cry. I've never seen such large animals confined to what amounted to cages. The corrals for the zebras and their one okapi aren't even big enough to be a dog park (and we did check, no gate to any other area was open for them, so they were stuck in there). The people who allowed this zoo to be built and continue in this manner should be ashamed. Don't give this place your money and make the trip to the Denver zoo where their animals aren't miserable and neglected. (Edit): Thanks for your reply, but my name isn't Karen. Good to know you value individual opinions that happen to agree with a nagetive outlook on your zoo the same way you value your unhappy looking animals :) Putting a zoo on a mountain was a terrible idea! (Second edit): It would be impossible to 'address my concerns in other channels' since this is the only place I've personally posted a review, have you considered that more than one person might not have been happy with what they saw? Bless you for trying to save face, but I don't believe a word of it.