В Колорадо открыли девять уникальных мест для наблюдения за животными

9 places that spotlight animals in Colorado One doesn’t need to travel far in Colorado to feel like they’ve stepped into the wild. Across the state, you can spend mornings watching hippos, afternoons feeding giraffes and evenings surrounded by tropical fish. And no passport is required. Here are nine venues that showcase the animal kingdom: Butterfly Pavilion This tropical conservatory north of Denver offers a unique experience with hundreds of free-flying butterflies. Guests can also explore exhibits featuring insects, marine life and even a tarantula. As the first stand-alone nonprofit insect zoo in the U.S., the butterfly house is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Colorado Gators Alligators in Colorado? Indeed, as well as crocodiles, caimans and tortoises. All visitors to this geothermal park in the San Luis Valley get “the opportunity to pet, hold and take pictures with a small alligator.” You can also feed the alligators or pet and feed the tortoises. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center Nestled in the mountains west of Colorado Springs, this sanctuary focuses on rescuing wolves, wolf dogs, coyotes and foxes. Guided tours offer an up-close look at these animals while educating visitors on conservation efforts. Visits are by reservation only, with scheduled tour times throughout the week. Denver Zoo The zoo spans more than 80 acres in City Park and features habitats for elephants, tigers, hippos and more. Visitors can explore immersive exhibits and attend special events throughout the year, with more than 1,800 animals ready for viewing. It’s open daily, with hours generally from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Downtown Aquarium This Denver aquarium holds more than 1 million gallons of water and boasts 500-plus species of animals, from sharks and exotic fish to stingrays. Guests can walk through underwater tunnels and explore themed exhibits. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Kangaroo Ranch Offering a one-of-a-kind experience in Colorado, Kangaroo Ranch in Wheat Ridge allows visitors to interact directly with kangaroos in a relaxed, open setting. The ranch offers meet-and-greet sessions, bottle feeding and yoga classes with kangaroos. Upcoming plans call for birthday parties as well. Pueblo Zoo Home to 400-plus animals — including lions, penguins and giraffes — from around the world, the zoo offers interactive experiences such as feeding opportunities and a train ride through the grounds. Open daily, it’s available to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with hours varying based on the season. Rocky Mountain Arsenal Once a military site, this national wildlife refuge northeast of downtown Denver is now home to bison, deer, bald eagles, raptors and other species. Guests can drive the wildlife loop, hike trails or stop by the visitor center to learn about conservation efforts. Open sunrise to sunset (8 p.m. in summer). The Wild Animal Sanctuary The Keenesburg sanctuary spotlights rescued carnivores such as lions, tigers and bears. Visitors can walk an elevated pathway that stretches more than 1.5 miles to see the animals below. Open daily from 9 a.m. to sunset. There are also rescue facilities in Springfield and Craig that are not open to the public.