The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo had a “topping out” ceremony on Wednesday, placing the last steel structural beam on their new International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo President and CEO Bob Chastain spoke on this significant milestone, highlighting the Zoo’s importance to the city and its world-renowned expertise in giraffe care.

What will the new giraffe center at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo include?

The new giraffe center will include a 12,000 square-foot giraffe barn, expanded giraffe yard and brand-new gift shop and café.

There will be 11 feeding zones in the new enclosure, compared to the three zones available in their former exhibit. There will also be a new feeding tower to encourage giraffe to navigate to a hilly outdoor area.

“The new giraffe barn will provide a variety of … opportunities to feed giraffe from different angles: face-to-face, from overhead and from foot-level,” Chastain added.

One standout feature of the new giraffe barn is its ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) clear roof, designed to fill the interior with natural light. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo drew inspiration from several European zoos where this roofing material is commonly used.

This lightweight, fire- and hail-resistant material is also used in sports stadiums and airports.

Chastain says this clear roof “will be the largest of its kind covering an animal exhibit in North America.”

When did this project start?

The International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe is part of a larger initiative headed by the Zoo called the “Elevate Capital Campaign.”

The idea for this campaign was birthed during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Chastian, when they brainstormed how to bring exciting improvements, upgrades and additions to the Zoo.

Other aspects of the “Elevate Capital Campaign” include creating a self-sufficient lettuce supply, building a brand-new hornbill exhibit and more.

How is this project being funded?

The International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe is an estimated $40 million project, according to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

The entire project is being funded by the Zoo’s revenue from ticket sales, membership dues, special event attendance and donor support.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just a few zoos in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that operates without tax support.

When is the new giraffe center opening?

The new giraffe center is expected to open in summer 2026.

Next year is a monumental year for the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo as it marks the Zoo’s 100th anniversary.

To read more on “The Giraffe Project,” visit here.