AT THE TOP: Two Colorado zoos named among best in U.S.
Colorado is home to some spectacular zoos. Two of Colorado’s most popular destinations have once again been honored among the nation’s best. USA Today’s Readers’ Choice 10 Best for 2021 has ranked Cheyenne Mountain Zoo as America’s fourth-best zoo, and Denver Zoo as the 10th best.
Texas was the only other state with two zoos that made the list.
“The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs connects visitors with more than 750 animals representing 170 species from all corners of the globe,” USA Today’s award listing read. “The African Rift Valley exhibit is home to the largest zoo giraffe herd in the world, as well as Red River hogs, meerkats, African lions and Colobus monkeys. Rocky Mountain Wild hosts regional species, like moose, grizzly bears, mountain lions, river otters, porcupine, Mexican gray wolves, bald eagles and lynx. A ski lift offers stellar views over Colorado Springs.”
On the same list, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit was also named the third-best zoo exhibit in the country.
The Readers’ Choice 10 Best was narrowed down to 20 nominees by USA Today staff before readers voted on the final rankings.
Denver Zoo placed No. 10 for its innovative exhibits like Predator Ridge and Elephant Passage. The latter is a 10-acre playground with a two-mile trail for zoo-goers to check out elephants, tapirs and rhinos in five unique habits.
This is the second straight year Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been named the country’s fourth-best zoo by USA Today.