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Latin America
A CELEBRATION OF BIODIVERSITY
For 129 years, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance has connected people with wildlife. Now, we have the opportunity to connect our guests with the most biodiverse region in the world, and we need your support in reaching out to Denver City Council to bring this vision to life.
Introducing, Latin America, our most ambitious, community-driven project in decades. This proposed new experience would allow guests to engage with the rich ecological and cultural umbrella of Latin America. This immersive experience will put guests face-to-face with jaguars, Andean bears, capybaras, sloths, and monkeys, surrounded by dynamic habitats and exciting interactive experiences for all ages.
The Vibrant Denver Bond
This Latin America project was submitted for consideration as part of The Vibrant Denver Bond, which funds Denver infrastructure projects such as roads, recreation centers, and cultural institutions without raising taxes. This public investment of $50 million is essential to bring the vision of Latin America to life. Monday, July 28, is our last opportunity to convince Denver City Council to secure this $50 million investment. Can we count on you to support us?
How You Can Help
Email Denver City Council
If you’re a Denver resident, you can use the template below to send an email to your City Council Member urging their support of DZCA and the Latin America project by Monday, July 28. You can either look up your specific Council member here, or email all 13 members:
amanda.sandoval@denvergov.org, kevin.flynn@denvergov.org, Jamie.Torres@denvergov.org, Diana.Romerocampbell@denvergov.org, Amanda.Sawyer@denvergov.org, paul.kashmann@denvergov.org, Flor.Alvidrez@denvergov.org, Shontel.Lewis@denvergov.org, Darrell.Watson@denvergov.org, Chris.Hinds@denvergov.org, Stacie.Gilmore@denvergov.org, Sarah.Parady@denvergov.org, serena.gonzales-gutierrez@denvergov.org
- Email Template
Dear Denver City Council,
I am urging your support for Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance’s (DZCA) “Latin America Experience” project to be included in the upcoming Vibrant Denver Bond package. This project is DZCA’s most ambitious, community-driven project in decades and a cornerstone of the Zoo’s future.
This is more than a project. It’s an investment in economic recovery, cultural celebration, civic pride, and City assets:
- The Zoo draws nearly two million guests annually, 25% of which enter through free or reduced admission programs
- The project celebrates Latin American wildlife and heritage, and creates belonging through bilingual signage, sensory-friendly design, and inclusive programming that reflects the richness of Denver’s communities
- This project will create 36% growth in overall economic impact, 42% growth in tax revenue, and up to 1900 construction jobs generated by DZCA
- See the Denver Gazette’s reporting on DZCA’s economic impact here
- The Zoo will match every public dollar with private philanthropy at 1:1, doubling the City’s investment and creating a valuable City-owned asset
- The project reactivates long-shuttered space, cures over 35% of critical deferred maintenance, and is shovel-ready
- Shaped by input from 4,700+ community voices
Toyota Elephant Passage reshaped the Zoo a generation ago- the Latin America Experience will do the same for the next generation. I respectfully urge your full support.
Sincerely,
[ YOUR NAME HERE ]
Attend the Denver City Council Meeting
All Denver residents can help by attending the next Denver City Council meeting in person on Monday, July 28, 5:00–8:00 p.m. We hope to have a strong in-person presence to remind Denver City Council how important DZCA is to our community.
Denver City and County Building 1437 Bannock Street, City Council Chambers, 4th floor
Have a Question About the Vibrant Denver Bond Proposal?
We know this is an important and exciting initiative, and we’re here to answer any questions you might have. Whether you’re curious about the proposal, how it supports the Denver community, or what it means for the future of the Zoo, we welcome your inquiries.
Planning, Impact & Transparency
We’re committed to transparency and thoughtful planning as we bring our Latin America experience to life. Explore key documents that highlight our strategic vision, economic impact, and our organization’s long-term commitment to this transformative project.
Commitment Letter
One-Page Project Overview
Subcommittee Questionnaire
Economic Impact Summary
Executive Committee Q&A
Explore the Vibrant Denver Bond Executive Committee Q&A to learn how the Latin America Experience will drive economic impact, create jobs, support equity, and transform Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance for generations to come.
Revitalization with Purpose
This area of DZCA has been closed to the public for years due to deteriorating infrastructure and safety concerns. This project addresses over 35% of DZCA’s deferred maintenance—aligning with citywide efforts to restore and reinvest in aging community assets.
