Bookmark the Zoo's "Events Calendar"...not to miss in March events!

Wondering what is happening at the Zoo? Be sure to bookmark our events calendar or save in your favorites! It's the easiest way to check what's going on at the zoo "at a glance."

NOT TO MISS IN MARCH:
March 21-25, Monday - Friday
Spring Break Give-A-Way Days - follow us on Facebook

March 25 & 26, Friday & Saturday
Red Ape Rally Days

March 26, Saturday
Moonlight Safari "Family Night" (register online)

March 26 or 27, Saturday or Sunday
Family Program SPECIAL "Zootastic Re-creations"(register online)

RUN TO THE SHRINE 2011 - REGISTRATION OPEN

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo invites world class runners and families alike to join in the Run to the Shrine on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Both the 5K and the 10K options curve through the Zoo and some of the most stunning mountain scenery this side of the Rockies. The races conclude at the world class event venue, The Lodge at Moose Lake!

Register Online

A great opportunity for competitive racers, casual walkers, as well as families and children eager to show their enthusiasm for the Zoo, the Run to the Shrine offers the coveted opportunity to traverse Shrine Road via foot while knowing that this is the one time of the year when foot traffic is allowed.

Registration includes FREE ADMISSION to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on May 21, 2011.

Schedule:

6:15am - 10k Registration Opens - Registration tent located near Mesa Avenue & Lake Circle. (East side of Broadmoor Hotel)
7:15am - 10k Starts
7:15am - 5K Registration Opens - Online/Mail-In tent located at the entrance to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo South Parking Lot
8:15am - 5K Starts
8am - Noon - Post Event Celebration, The Lodge at Moose Lake

Schedule subject to change.

Memorial Day Plant Sale - ONLINE PRE-SALES OPEN!

MEMORIAL DAY PLANT SALE

WHEN: May 28-30, 2011
TIME: Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 9:00am - 6:00pm daily
WHERE: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
ADMISSION: NO Zoo admission is required to attend the plant sale, so stop by!

The Plant Sale features over 200 varieties of resource-wise perennials, grasses, and herbs that perform well in the Pikes Peak Region.

PRE-ORDERING PLANTS ONLINE...OPEN NOW
To assist you with plant selection, lists are provided here to help you with your search for Plant Select Plants, native plants, plants that will attract butterflies or hummingbirds, something that is resistant to deer or rabbits, or for a listing of this year's HPP plants.

Begin shopping by clicking on a plant type below. Then click on individual plant names for detailed information on each plant. Simply add desired items to your ‘shopping cart,’ and then 'check out.’

Although you will be asked for a shipping address at checkout, postal shipping of live plants is not available. Please see Pre-order Pick Up and Delivery below for additional information.

PRE-ORDER PICK UP
Customers who pre-order online may take advantage of special early pick up and early entry into the Plant Sale on Saturday, May 28th, from 6am to 10am. Enjoy the convenience of online ordering AND have the added bonus of entering the Plant Sale early to do additional shopping.

PRE-ORDER DELIVERY
New this year: Free local delivery on large orders (over $500). Free delivery is limited to addresses within one half hour travel time from the Zoo. If you place a large order, we will contact you to arrange delivery.

Please note: There is NO POSTAL SHIPPING of live plant orders at any time.

Visit our website for more information on the sale and pre-ordering your plants today!

E-waste Recycling Event a Success!

We had a FANTASTIC event this past weekend with Blue Star Recyclers! With the help and donations of our guests, fans, and followers we collected 4,419lbs of e-waste and kept 2 tons of reusable waste out of the landfill. The Zoo also raised almost $500 to directly support the care and maintenance of our animals. Thank you Colorado Springs! Look for upcoming events like this on our Zoo Events page.


Our own Ashton Strobridge (left) worked directly with Blue Star Recyclers and Andy O'Riley (right) to make this event happen!

Electric Safari Hosts Signing Santa on December 21

"You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I'm telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town!"


Special Signing Santa Night During Electric Safari

All children are welcome as we introduce a special night at the Zoo for our deaf and hard of hearing families in the community. Celebrate the spirit of Christmas Tuesday, December 21 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with a very special Santa who can hear but also sign using American Sign Language. Deaf and hard of hearing kids can share their wish list with Santa, and volunteers from Access 2 Sign Language, a local interpreting agency, will be on hand to interpret zookeeper talks and animal demonstrations.

Electric Safari is a holiday tradition not to be missed nightly, Friday, December 17, 2010 – Sunday, January 2, 2011 (Electric Safari closed Christmas Eve). Electric Safari features nearly one million sparkling lights, with light-themed clusters, animated light sculptures, and energy-saving LED lighting.



Check out our website for all the details about Electric Safari.

Have Your Holiday Event at the Zoo

The Zoo is a venue like no other! Available for holiday parties, company picnics, receptions, family gatherings and reunions, you can rent the entire Zoo or enjoy a selected site. Come out at night to see all the holiday lights as you host your next upcoming party at the Zoo.



Wildthings Catering, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's official caterer, will do all the planning for you! An expert catering staff can create the perfect menu and arrange any rentals you may need.

Visit our website or call 719-314-0970 for more details on events at the Zoo.

Boo at the Zoo promotes 'orangutan friendly' candy

Boo at the Zoo, the annual trick-or-treat party at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, won’t be giving your kids Snickers, Three Musketeers or M&Ms this year because those treats aren’t considered “orangutan friendly.”


...So the zoo, in its cafes and special events like Boo at the Zoo, is boycotting Hershey’s and Mars, companies that are not members of the international Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. Instead, kids who attend Boo at the Zoo will get lots of candies from Nestles, which has joined the roundtable group and has pledged to get its palm oil from more sustainable sources. Members of the roundtable group must do mitigation efforts, including reforestation and sourcing from plantations that haven’t displaced habitat.


Click here to read more.

LINES ARE SCARY: SKIP THEM ON A FREE BOO SHUTTLE!

-- Boo at the Zoo opens tomorrow at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. --

Purchase your Boo at the Zoo tickets on the shuttle and skip the line at the front gate. You’ll also get a coupon for free giraffe crackers! Shuttles depart from the Sears parking lot at Broadmoor Towne Center on Southgate Road every 15 to 20 minutes. Shuttle service begins at 4:30 p.m. and runs continuously until the event ends.

Boo at the Zoo will delight those looking for a not-too-scary adventure the weekends of Oct 22 – 24 and 29 – 31, 5:30pm to 8:30pm each night (last admission sold at 7:30 p.m.), and is a fun way for families with young children to trick-or-treat and enjoy Halloween festivities in a safe and unique environment. Boo at the Zoo will be open regardless of weather.

Opening Weekend Special Discount

The Zoo and local Wendy’s restaurants are teaming up to offer a special discount opening weekend. Visit your neighborhood Wendy’s, then save your receipt to receive $2 off admission Oct 22 – 24. No other passes or coupons accepted.


Orangutan-Friendly Candy




Safe trick-or-treating continues to be a big draw for parents, and Boo at the Zoo won’t disappoint. Quality Nestle chocolates and candies will be handed out at 30 Spooky Treat Stations throughout the Zoo. The Zoo supports Nestle and other companies committed to the use of sustainable palm oil and orangutan conservation in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Pricing

$15 Ages 3 - 65
$9 Zoo Members
$13 Military, Over 65 Senior Discount

Kids under age 3 free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Mountaineer Sky Ride/Boo Combo Pricing
$18 Ages 3 - 65
$12 Zoo Members
$16 Military, Over 65 Senior Discount

Mountaineer Sky Ride Only
$5 Adults
$4 Ages 3 – 11
Zoo members receive $1 off Mountaineer Sky Ride admission prices.

The popular haunted house and ghostly graveyard both return this year to offer frightful fun for all members of the family, and be sure to check out the “Zooper Heroes” animal show at the Lodge at Moose Lake. Take the Mountaineer Sky Ride to Swamp Monster’s Slime Factory, featuring the mad scientists from Science Matters. Little spooks will enjoy the creepy bat cave, lighted pumpkin path, and Boo carousel. Select animal exhibits will also be open, including African Rift Valley, Loft, Monkey Pavilion, Lion's Lair, and Aquatics.



This year’s Boo at the Zoo sponsors include Toyota of Colorado Springs, Liberty Toyota, Comcast, The Gazette, Wendy’s, KLite 106.3, Y96.9, My 99.9 and The Colorado Springs School.

No Child Left Inside Weekend

Join us Friday-Sunday, September 24-26!



This weekend was created to provide close, fun family-friendly activities to help you enjoy the benefits of nature with your children. The goal is to help families build a tradition of spending time together outside, experiencing the wonder of nature – for their own health, preservation of the beauty of Colorado, and the future of our planet.

Join us at the Zoo for a family Moonlight Safari on Friday night or sign up for our family program on Saturday or Sunday to learn more about red river hogs! On Saturday, we’ll also have some interpretive talks by students at PPCC going on throughout the day.

Check out the National Parks Agency website for the full list of local activities.

RSVP on Facebook

First Annual BIG CAT BONANZA at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

WHAT: First Annual Big Cat Bonanza
WHEN: Sunday, September 26
TIME: 10:00am - 3:00pm
WHERE: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Did you know that Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to three of the world’s most endangered cats?

Snow Leopards: estimated wild population- between 3,000 – 5,000
Amur Leopards: estimated wild population- 35
Amur Tigers: estimated wild population- 260



These cats are disappearing at an alarming rate due to poaching, habitat and prey loss, and conflicts with humans. This year Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Quarters for Conservation Program and YOU are helping to save these amazing species from disappearing forever!

Join us on Sunday, September 26th from 10:00a – 3:00p as we celebrate our first ever “Big Cat Bonanza”! This fun-filled day will highlight the amazing conservation work being done by Snow Leopard Trust and the Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance (ALTA); and supported by our own Quarters for Conservation program. The day’s events will feature many cat-themed activities for kids of all ages, special animal talks and demonstrations, and educational displays on what makes these cats so unique and special! Activities will include:

* Cat adaptation activities!
* Face painting!
* Crafts!
* Special dance performances!
* A mini-market of items handmade in Mongolian Snow Leopard habitat!
* Yarn spinning demonstrations!
* And much, much more!

Activities will be happening in the Lodge and Moose Lake, the Loft and in front of the leopard and tiger exhibits. All activities are FREE with zoo admission!



Come join us and other cat lovers on September 26th from 10:00 – 3:00 and be a part of the feline fun!

RSVP on Facebook

Have Your Event at the Zoo

The Zoo is a venue like no other! Available for company picnics, parties, receptions, family gatherings and reunions, you can rent the entire Zoo or enjoy a selected site.

Wildthings Catering, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's official caterer, can do all the planning for you! An expert catering staff can create the perfect menu and arrange any rentals you may need.



Gazette Pick Winner 2010!
BEST CATERER
Wild Things Catering at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
"Yes, the catering company is operated at the zoo, but the culinary team is something to take notice of. Not only have they won top prizes at the premier Chefs Gala, they have a new restaurant, the Grizzly Grill, in the park sure to become a destination dining experience."

Catering Menu Online
Birthday Parties
Entertainment Extras

Swinging in the Rainforest: A Night with Orangutans

Join us for a night with the orangutans! AAZK (American Association of Zookeepers) is hosting the second annual Swinging in the Rainforest orangutan fundraiser.



Be some of the first to learn what Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's team, Tracey Gazibara, Dina Bredahl, and Mandy Hollingsworth, discovered about orangutan conservation on their recent trip to Indonesia and Malaysia (see the Palm Oil Blog for updates from the trip while they were there). Watch the orangutans perform their natural behavior show and an orangutan painting session. Bid on some of your favorite orangutan paintings, photographs and gifts from Indonesia in our silent auction. Activities for kids will include coloring sheets, making enrichment for the primates and practicing orangutan nest building skills. Maggie Moos will be serving up their new palm oil free flavor "Swinging Orangutan Shindig" in support of this journey and the conservation of orangutan habitat. 25 cents of each scoop goes directly to orangutan conservation through the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's Quarters for Conservation program.

The event will take place in Primate World on July 10, 2010 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the event or online at from our events page. Hope you’ll swing on by and see us!

Cost:
$25 per adult
$40 per couple
$10 per child

Buy Swinging in the Rainforest tickets now! All proceeds benefit orangutan conservation.

Stargazer Series…1 down 2 to go! Don’t Miss Out!

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo kicked-off the summer Stargazer Series last Friday, June 18 with over 200 guests. We partnered with the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society, Cool Science and Science Matters for a fun-filled night of planet watching, glow-in-the-dark slime, and laser lights. Our own Katrina Bensen even came by with a couple of fruit bats to talk about these amazing “creatures of the night” and show us how cool they really are!



Don’t miss the next Friday evening Stargazing Series' at the Mountaineer Sky Ride.

SAVE THE DATES: Friday, July 23 and Friday, August 6 from 8 – 10 p.m.

Stargazing Series Solar Days COMING SOON too!
When: Sundays, July 11 and August 1
Time: 10 am - 1 pm
Cost: No additional cost, is a part of your regular Sky Ride Ticket price. $5 adults, $4 children 3-11, under 3 FREE.

View the sun through solar telescopes provided by Colorado Springs Astronomical Society! Join Cool Science to learn more about amazing solar science, see solar oven cooking demonstrations, meet animals who “soak up the sun” because they are ectothermic, and learn about solar energy as a valuable resource!

We hope to see you there!

World Ocean's Day Photo Gallery

We celebrated Dr. Seuss's "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" 50th Anniversary in honor of World Oceans Day on June 8, 2010! Hundreds of families enjoyed the fun with us. We created a BIG SPLASH in Aquatics & had loads of fun coloring, doing activities, learning about the oil spill, and meeting Mr. Penguin.

Come Celebrate World Ocean's Day on June 8!

Join us for this exciting event with the help of Dr. Seuss and the Association of Zoo's and Aquariums (AZA) to celebrate our world's oceans! There will be a coloring station and giveaway table open the whole time, just stop by and see us in Aquatics!

ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will be observing Endangered Species Day on Friday, May 21, 2010 with some special presentations at select animal exhibits and habitats. They will lead up to the observance by highlighting different animal conservation programs each day of the week. These conservation programs are all included in the Zoo’s “Quarters for Conservation” initiative that Zoo guests support with 25 cent votes each time they visit. Most presentations run from 11 am to 2 pm, but it is suggested that guests get schedules at the Zoo front gate when they arrive.

The schedule for presentations during the week is:

Tues., May 18
Wild African Vultures
Wild Orangutans and Their Forest
Habitat / Palm Oil Education


Wed., May 19
Snow Leopards
Panama Amphibian Rescue Project


Thurs., May 20
Wild Amur Leopards
Wyoming Toads
Bat Conservation
Asiatic Bears
Mexican Grey Wolves


Fri., May 21
South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds
Black-footed Ferrets


Endangered Species Day is an opportunity for people young and old to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and everyday actions that people can take to help protect our nation’s disappearing wildlife and last remaining open space.

Protecting America’s wildlife and plants today is a legacy we leave to our children and grandchildren, so that all Americans can experience the rich variety of native species that help to define our nation.

Started by the United States Senate, Endangered Species Day is the third Friday in May. Every year, thousands of people throughout the country celebrate Endangered Species Day at parks, wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, libraries, schools and community centers. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is proud to be a part of this important observation.

M.O.M (Missing Orangutan Mothers): Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Zoo with the Orangutans at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Photo by Tracey Gazibara

Orangutan mothers and babies have an incredibly close relationship. Baby orangutans don’t have a support network around to give them the many lessons of finding fruit, building nests and other survival techniques. Their mothers teach them everything about survival in the forest before they set out on their own.
Because of the growing demand for palm oil, and irresponsible forestry practices, more and more orangutan mothers are being killed every year in Indonesia. Their rain forest homes are literally being wiped out to make way for palm oil plantations… leaving hundreds of helpless orphans. Some of the lucky ones end up at Nyaru Menteng– which is operated by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation. The Center is now home to nearly 650 orangutans– the vast majority of them young orphans in need of love and care.
Mother’s Day is the perfect day to bring awareness to the plight of these beautiful red apes and to encourage people to help protect them.

Mother’s Day is the perfect day to celebrate and pay tribute to M.O.M.– Missing Orangutan Mothers

Schedule of Events:
12 noon – Orangutan show
1:30pm – Orangutan painting demo
2:30pm – Orangutan enrichment


Orangutan Painting

10am-3pm:
• Coloring & word search for kids
• Help make orangutan enrichment
• Make an orangutan nest
• Learn about orangutan conservation

For more information about the M.O.M program please visit the Orangutan Outreach website.
Read more about the Palm Oil Crisis on our website.
For more information visit www.savetheorangutan.org online.

Other Mother’s Day events at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo:
• Join us for a Mother's Day weekend Mother and Daughter WildNight sleepover, Friday, May 7!
• Ignite your wild sides with "Mother, May I?" Family Program for the whole family, Saturday, May 8!
• Learn more about the delicious Mother's Day Brunch offered on May 9th, reservations are required.
• Need a special gift for Mom? Discover our Unique Gifts page filled with wild gifts that give twice!

Visit Redapes.org

Turkey Vulture Q4C Hike Re-cap

Eighteen people braved the chilly, foggy morning to hike Talon Trail in Cheyenne Mountain State Park (CMSP) on Sunday, April 18th to look for turkey vultures and other migratory and resident bird species. Despite the damp weather conditions, many birds were out and about– singing, defending territories, finding mates, building nests, foraging, just doing what birds do best! The group was made up of novice birdwatchers, expert raptor monitors from CMSP, and people who just love nature and getting outdoors. In all, the group saw nearly 30 species of birds, including 7 turkey vultures, which made their appearance at the end of the hike once the fog had finally burned off. Other highlights from the trip included viewing a golden eagle nest and seeing the park’s 1st ever recorded peregrine falcon!



A list of some of the bird species they saw on the hike:

Chipping sparrow
Coopers hawk
Golden eagle
Northern flicker
Peregrine falcon
Red-tailed hawk
Spotted towhee
Tree swallow
TURKEY VULTURES!
Western bluebird
Western scrub jay
White-breasted nuthatch

Celebrate Mother’s Day with the Zoo

Do you have plans for Mother’s Day? We have some wonderful activities to help celebrate Mom’s on this very special weekend.

Friday May 7
Attention Mothers and Daughters:
Come celebrate Mother's Day weekend at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo with a WildNight sleepover!
Bring your daughter to the Zoo and have lots of fun learning about animals and each other. We’ll provide dinner and breakfast, an after-hours tour, and a cozy cabin to sleep in! There’s no better way to start off your Mother’s Day weekend!! Kids must be 5 years old to participate.
Time: 6 p.m.- 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 8.
Cost: $60.50 per pair, and $25.25 each additional child.
Please visit our website to register or call (719) 633-9925 X 127.

Saturday, May 8
"Mother, May I"
Spring has arrived and so have the babies here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Bring your family to the zoo as we explore the world of animal babies and meet any new arrivals!
Time: 1 pm
Cost:$20 per Zoo member family, $35 per non-member family
Register online!

Sunday, May 9
Mother’s Day Brunch
Treat your Mother to a fantastic brunch on Mother’s Day in the Lodge at Moose Lake from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.! Visit the beautiful stations overflowing with made-to-order omelettes, hand carved pork and sausage, freshly tossed pastas, crisp salads with fresh berries and a decadent dessert station! Champagne Mimosa or Bloody Mary included.
Cost: $35 for adults
$20 for children ages 3-11
$10 for children under 3
Zoo admission is not included unless you are a current Zoo member.
To make a reservation, please call 719-314-0970.

Moms Are Special to All of Us.
Treat your Mom to a day of fun at the Zoo on Mother's Day! Mom’s get in for just $5.25 with a special coupon in The Gazette. Cut it out from The Gazette and bring it with you! No duplications or copies excepted, it must be an original newspaper ad. Limit one mom per ad. You can find this ad printed in The Gazette's Main Section on both Sundays, May 2nd and May 9th! To see the ad visit our event calendar online.

Run to the Shrine: Tips to Train for the Incline

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo invites world class runners and families alike to join in the Run to the Shrine on Saturday, May 22, 2010. Both the 5K and the 10K options curve through the Zoo and some of the most stunning mountain scenery this side of the Rockies.

Running has tremendous health benefits for the human body. It strengthens the heart and lungs, improves circulation, and keeps the leg muscles strong and toned. The Run to the Shrine is a particularly demanding run due to the 8.5% gradient increase from the base of the Zoo (6,800 feet) to the Shrine (8,100 feet). We wanted to address some of your questions and help you prepare for the Run to the Shrine.

What is the best training I can do for RTS?
Hill training! Hill training is a method of running up hills to increase muscle power and strength. The most common benefits of hill training are: strengthen hamstrings, calves, glutes, hip flexors and achilles tendons. Hill running uses more upper-body muscles than flat running.

What can I expect when I start training?
Hill training is very demanding at first because you work muscles that you don't use very often while running. However, the more you hill train, the easier it becomes.

What is the difference between short, medium and long hills?
The benefits of short, medium and long hills are different. In your training you will want to utilize all of them when preparing for the Run to the Shrine.

Short hills
A short hill is one which takes no more that 30 seconds to run up and has an inclination between 5 to 15 percent grade. The runner's energy source on short hills is entirely anaerobic. When running short hills, the runner should focus on a running technique which has vigorous arm drive and high knee lift, with the hips kept high, so that they are 'running tall', not leaning forwards.

Medium hills
A medium hill is one which takes between 30 to 90 seconds to run up. This is the length of hill is a good distance for the middle-distance runner. This length is good for middle distance runners because it combines the benefits of the short hills with the stresses on local muscular endurance and tolerance of lactic acid.

Long hills
A long hill is one which takes from 90 seconds to three minutes to run up. The energy used to run a long hill comes from aerobic sources, but if parts of the hill are steep and the runner is running hard, there will still be an accumulation of lactic acid. On long hills, the runner will not use as much power per stride as the shorter hills.

STEPS FOR SUCCESS
Step 1: Wear high quality shoes. Make sure you have a good pair of shoes before you start running. Do not plan to do the Run to the Shrine in a brand new pair of shoes. Break them in before race day.

Step 2: Warm-up. Stretch your knees and lower body prior to starting any run.

Step 3: Stay hydrated. Be sure to bring water with you and stay properly hydrated while you are training.

Step 4: Start with an easy 15 minute warm-up on rolling hills. Take your time. Do not exceed your training level.

Step 5: Maintain good running posture. Pump arms vigorously, lean slightly forward, and keep your head up.

Step 6: Cool down with a 15 minute jog on level or gently rolling ground. Jog slowly on each decent.

Note:
1. If you want to run hills on a treadmill, for each change in altitude, run at a 8 percent incline for 90 to 90 seconds with 2 minutes flat recovery jogs.
2. Do not hill train when you are injured.

Learn how to run down hills properly.

Learn about altitude training to fully utilize the Run to the Shrine, and the benefits of running at high altitude. Elite runners train at high altitude to increase the number of red blood cells, improving oxygen delivery to their muscles.

Register online NOW for the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Run to the Shrine!
View 5K Course Map. View 10K Course Map.