News Archive

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLORADO – Preventive care is important for people and animals, alike. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo partners, Children’s Hospital Colorado, discuss the many benefits of well-child visits, and how pediatricians can support medical, behavioral and mental health at different stages of childhood development. For more than 13 years, the team at the . . .

WRITTEN BY JACK GOODMAN, ELEPHANT KEEPER I met Missy for the first time in May of 2019. I had just started the summer as a Junior Zookeeper in the Wilgruen Elephant Center. Missy was 49 years old at the time. Now, Missy is 56 years old, and I have been working with her as a . . .

Catch up with Jumbe, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 23-year-old Eastern black rhinoceros, who is working on a new kind of health training: dental care. As an aging rhino, Jumbe sometimes needs a little extra help with his teeth. His care team gently files his molars to smooth sharp edges that could cause sores. Take a look . . .

Say hello to Thistle, Waffles’ new companion! Thistle is settling in well and doing great with his training. Thistle and Waffles have a breeding recommendation through the Cape Porcupine Species Survival Plan, which helps manage genetic diversity and healthy populations in human care for their species. Waffles and Thistle have quickly bonded and can often . . .

For the tenth consecutive year, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is nominated for Best Zoo in the U.S. in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Supporters can vote daily through Mon., March 9 at cmzoo.org/vote. A vote for CMZoo is a vote for your favorite animal and for your community, because a high ranking elevates the entire . . .

Part 1: Past Two years ago, we announced that our 20-year President & CEO, Bob Chastain, is retiring after 30 years of service to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. On Feb. 10, CMZoo’s board of directors announced Dave Ruhl, current executive vice president at CMZoo, will step into the role of president & CEO on June 12, . . .

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLORADO Few things bond a family like an adventure, and our partners at Children’s Hospital Colorado call exercise the best medicine for many things. Exercise helps improve sleep, stress, mood and concentration, and they say it can treat and prevent some medical problems. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Run to the Shrine, . . .

Written by Jessi DiCola, Asian Highlands animal keeper Cora is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s first red panda in over 20 years! Cora joined the CMZoo family in July 2024, and as part of her care team, I have loved getting to know more about her and her wild counterparts. Cora’s name is a nod to wildlife . . .

It’s a big year at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! In 2026, CMZoo is celebrating its centennial year, welcoming a new President & CEO and opening a brand-new Giraffe Center. Celebrating the Centennial Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was established in 1926 by Colorado Springs legend, Spencer Penrose. Having earned considerable wealth from mining enterprises, he expanded his entrepreneurial . . .

We’re marking six months of Sully sweetness! Since his birth on July 21, 2025, Sully has been growing more curious, confident and lovable every day. In six months, Sully has reached several major milestones, including learning to balance while standing on Asha’s back, crawling independently near Asha, interacting with Goma and Kwisha, trying solid foods, . . .