Every year in October, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo starts to look a little bit spooky and a whole lot festive. Boo at the Zoo is a favorite family Halloween tradition that draws about 20,000 people over its late October weekends. It blends costumes, trick or treating and a chance to see and interact with animals after dark.
This year’s Boo at the Zoo takes place Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26, plus Halloween Oct. 31, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Here’s everything you need to know to join the fun.
What to Do at Boo at the Zoo
Guests can visit select animal exhibits and trick-or-treat at more than 20 stations throughout the zoo. Attractions include scheduled animal demonstrations, all-evening giraffe and budgie feeding, a kid-friendly spooky haunted house, brand-new giant wooden pumpkins, Pirates’ Cove and handmade spooky decorations around the zoo. Attendees can also enjoy rides on the Mountaineer Sky Ride and carousel, weather permitting.
An elephant-sized 4.5 tons of candy will be handed out at trick-or-treat stations throughout the zoo. Candy is purchased from companies that are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and have committed to using sustainable palm oil for the protection of orangutan habitats in the wild.
Orangutan fans can support companies that have committed to using responsibly sourced palm oil by downloading the free globally available mobile app, PalmOil Scan. The mobile app allows shoppers to scan product barcodes and see immediately how that company ranks in prioritizing sustainable palm oil. Learn more at cmzoo.org/palmoil.
Here’s the Boo at the Zoo Schedule
Fridays and Halloween Night — Oct. 17 and 24
5 p.m. – African Lion Keeper Talk (Lion Relaxation Room, African Rift Valley)
6:30 p.m. – Hippo Keeper Talk and Feeding (inside hippo building, Water’s Edge: Africa)
Saturdays – Oct. 18 and 25
5 p.m. – Meerkat Enrichment (meerkat yard between giraffe and African lions, African Rift Valley)
6:30 p.m. – Elephant Keeper Talk (inside elephant barn, Encounter Africa)
Sundays· – Oct. 19 and 26
5 p.m. – African Lion Keeper Talk (Lion Relaxation Room, African Rift Valley)
6:30 p.m. – Hippo Keeper Talk and Feeding (inside hippo building, Water’s Edge: Africa)
The zoo will close for daytime admission on Boo at the Zoo dates at 3 p.m. Boo at the Zoo will go on rain, snow or shine.
Be sure to bundle up on cold nights and enjoy a fall Colorado evening on the mountain.
Costume Requirements
For the safety and comfort of all guests, full-face costume masks and costume weapons may not be worn by guests 12 years of age or older. Masks worn by guests 11 years of age and younger must have openings that allow the eyes to be seen and that do not obstruct peripheral vision. Balloons are not allowed inside the zoo even as part of a costume for the safety of the animals.
Boo at the Zoo is an important fundraiser for the Zoo, which doesn’t receive any tax support. Attendance helps support animal care, conservation and Zoo operations and improvements.
Tickets Are Required
Advance timed e-tickets are required for Boo at the Zoo. Get them at www.cmzoo.org/boo.
Find much more Halloween fun for kids and grownups in our Ultimate Guide to Halloween in Colorado Springs.
