CLIENT: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

PROJECT: International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe

SUB-PROJECT OF: CMZ Elevate Projects

PROJECT LOCATION: Colorado Springs, CO

PUBLIC/PRIVATE PROJECT: Not For Profit -- Public Project

MARKET SECTOR: Commercial

BUILDING CLASSIFICATION: Animal Care -- Parks

PROJECT COST: $21,443,116.00

DELIVERY METHOD: CM/GC

International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe

Completed in September 2026, the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe is a 12,000-square-foot facility designed to enhance giraffe care while creating new ways for guests to experience Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s iconic herd. 

The new center provides nearly three times more space for the giraffes, with indoor and outdoor environments that allow the animals to move freely throughout the day. The barn incorporates natural substrates, varied humidity and temperature zones, and feeders positioned at different heights to encourage movement and enrichment.

 The project also expanded opportunities for guest interaction throughout the exhibit. New features include a footbridge leading to an interactive feeding island, a lower feeding area designed for encounters with younger giraffes, and garage-style doors that allow guests to feed giraffes directly from the covered plaza. A new pavilion provides space for corporate and special events, while the covered plaza connects the giraffe center with the gift shop. 

One of the facility’s most distinctive features is its ETFE roofing system, which fills both the giraffe center and gift shop with natural light. The system supports interior plant growth and allows the giraffes to remain connected to natural sun and moon cycles while indoors. Lightweight, durable, energy efficient, and resistant to hail and fire, ETFE provides a high-performance enclosure while creating a bright, open environment for animals and guests.