I’m a 65-year-old Denver native, and I have been going to Denver Zoo all my life. When I was a kid, we’d go to the zoo all the time; it was so captivating and engaging! I learned so much about different animals from around the world, which was so exciting and special as a kid.
At that time, the seals lived at Seal Rock, and I thought it was just the coolest thing. The bird house was located in a beautiful old building near the Boathouse; it’s now a Park Maintenance building, I believe. The building had a double entry, so would come in the first door and wait until everyone was in the entry, and the first door closed—then you could open the second door, which opened into a world of amazing birds and a cacophony of sights and sounds. It was so fabulous!
My childhood visits helped instill my lifelong deep love and compassion for animals. Denver Zoo is one of the most important educational organizations in the State. Being able to see first-hand animals from all over the world is incredible. Most of us never get to see those animals in their natural environments, so the Zoo is critical.
It’s also one of the most reliable babysitters ever—when you’re ready to lose your mind and the kids are driving you nuts, head to the Zoo! Parents have been doing it for decades; my mother did it, and her mother before her. Today, my visits to Denver Zoo are dictated by who is visiting, and which kids are with them. Regardless, the visit is always wonderful!