Past Annual Reports
Looking for the previous year’s report? We’ve got you covered!
Previous Annual Reports125 Years of Evolution in Action
If we’ve learned anything from our beloved wild residents over the past 125 years, it’s that evolution isn’t always comfortable-but it is always essential. With this in mind, Denver Zoo welcomed growth in a multitude of ways in 2021, with milestones of celebrating 125 Years of Love, implementing our Strategic Plan and even reorganizing, as we restructured our Conservation and Education departments to better align with our mission.
We continued to enhance both animal welfare and guest experience with three significant new offerings, including an industry-leading animal hospital and authentic new habitats for our African penguins and Linne’s two-toed sloths. And, with the approval of the RISE Denver GO Bond, we began to chart a course for critical ADA improvements to our pathways and lighting.
All this while enchanting more than 1 million guests during a year of worldwide recovery, and while refocusing our energies on the central passion of everyone in this organization: a duty to protect wildlife and wild places. Here’s where our ongoing evolution took us in 2021.

Bert Vescolani | President and CEO
Conservation Connection
Why Babies Matter
Oohs and aahs aside-every one of our beautiful Zoo babies is part of a worldwide conservation partnership with our AZA colleagues. As the planet’s wild places disappear, zoo-based breeding efforts like the Species Survival Program (SSP) represent many species’ best chance for survival.
Tap or roll over to learn more about each Zoo baby!

Clover + Felix
Eastern Bongos
Baby bongo plays with the herd

Akili
Mandrill
Akili the Mandrill is Growing Up!

Reggie + Cindy
Humboldt Penguins
Wild Milestone: Watch Humboldt Penguin Cindy Grow Up!

Winnie
Asian Elephant
The first Asian elephant to be conceived and born via AI at Houston Zoo, Winnie is the result of SSP efforts using sperm from our very own bachelor, Bodhi.
Read Article
Denver, Diamond + Jonas
Chilean Flamingos
Happy #InternationalFlamingoDay from the five youngest members of our fabulous flock!

Ingot, Ducat + Friends
Panamanian Golden Frog
Extinct in the wild, Panamanian golden frogs exist today only because of conservation breeding programs like ours. In 2021, we successfully bred 63 froglets.
Grand Openings
In 2021, we welcomed some amazing improvements across our 84-acre campus-representing meaningful milestones in both animal care and guest experience. [dz_slideshow]
Use the dots above to view all 2021 openings.
Donor Profile: Becky Sloan
Becky Sloan has been supporting Denver Zoo for more than two decades and has been a loyal volunteer since 2009. We’re so grateful to count her as part of of our family.
Click below to learn more of her story-and why she’s so passionate about her Zoo!
[FULL-VIDEO-POPUP]
The Mane Event
Denver Zoo 2021 Milestones
The Denver Zoo airs on Rocky Mountain PBS

Dia del Niño celebrates all children with SCFD Partners

Black Birders Event honors conservationists of color
Flock Party raises $287K for our beloved flamingo flock
Mexican Cultural Center performances wow Zoo crowds
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance performs “Yemanja”
Augustana Arts Orchestra performs
“Splish, Splash, Stomp + Soar”
Colorado Ballet enchants guests with original modern works
A Force of Nature Gala raises $511,000 for Denver Zoo’s future

Denver Zoo launches new Wild Fall seasonal offerings
Bert dresses to krill for annual Donor Thank-You video
Pie for Dessert
Everybody loves pie-especially a good pie chart! Denver Zoo is all about transparency, so here’s a sweet serving of financial data to chew on.
Download Financials PDF