Denver Zoo to Open 570-Acre Facility in Weld County

Earlier this month, Denver Zoo announced plans to open the Lembke Family Preserve, a staggering 570 acres of land which will help expand the Zoo’s conservation and care efforts.

Denver Zoo, which was founded over 128 years ago, is home to almost 3,000 animals representing over 450 species from all over the world. It is one of the most visited cultural destinations in Colorado, tallying almost 2,000,000 visitors per year at its 84-acre campus. However, given that it is located in Denver itself, the Zoo has always had a limited amount of space to work with due to the cities layout. For instance, its new flamingo habitat which opened last November, occupies a space previously used for their river otter exhibit. But now, thanks to the Lembke family’s generosity, the Zoo will be opening a new preserve in Weld County with over six times the space.

The Lembke Family Preserve will be developed in two phases. First, Denver Zoo will work on its existing species survival plans breeding programs using the new space to house and care for their growing animal families, as well as considering prospects for new species to introduce. The additional room will also allow the Zoo to relocate its wards more easily to perform maintenance and renovations on its main campus. The second phase entails an update to the Preserve, turning it into a full-blown conservation center. It would be dedicated to conservation breeding and the gradual reintroduction of endangered animal species in Colorado and beyond.

Bert Vescolani, President and CEO of Denver Zoo, says, “The Lembke Family Preserve represents the start of a new era for Denver Zoo and will dramatically expand our capabilities for our animals and Colorado wildlife as we build it out in the coming years. We are deeply grateful to the Lembke family for their generosity and mutual understanding that saving wildlife for future generations requires a dedicated community of donors, members, partners, and neighbors.” The Lembke family is one of several donors who participated in the Zoo’s “Into the Great Wild Open” donation campaign, which is still seeking people to help ensure the longevity of its wildlife conservation and education programs.

Render of Lembke Family Preserve courtesy of the Denver Zoo