Education
Engaging exhibits and programs spark the inner scientist in every visitor — from school field trips to adult workshops and seasonal camps.
About Butterfly Pavilion
The world's first stand-alone, AZA-accredited invertebrate zoo — transforming how people see the small creatures that sustain our planet.
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Who We Are
Butterfly Pavilion is the first stand-alone, Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited non-profit invertebrate zoo in the world. Through hands-on exhibits, research, and conservation efforts, we are a leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiring people to love and protect the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom.
Created by the Rocky Mountain Butterfly Consortium, a Colorado nonprofit founded in 1990, Butterfly Pavilion is primarily supported by admission fees, community generosity, and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Our eleven-acre campus — provided by the City of Westminster — welcomes over 500,000 visitors each year, just 15 minutes from downtown Denver.
Our Mission & Values
We foster an appreciation of invertebrates by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation.
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The People Behind the Pavilion
Our team of scientists, educators, and conservationists are passionate about invertebrates and dedicated to sharing that wonder with every visitor. Get to know the Board of Directors, executive leadership, and invertebrate experts who guide our mission.
Committed to Sustainability
Butterfly Pavilion integrates sustainable practices into daily operations, from facility management to horticulture and education. Our goal is to reduce environmental impact while inspiring our community to protect the ecosystems that support invertebrates and biodiversity.
Butterfly Pavilion continuously works to reduce its environmental footprint. Through sustainability audits and resource tracking, we identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce waste. Our recycling and composting programs divert a significant portion of waste from landfills.
Our gardens prioritize native and pollinator-friendly plants that require less water, while our team manages invasive species and reuses materials whenever possible to support healthy ecosystems.
Sustainability is integrated into our exhibits and programs, helping visitors understand how everyday actions can support conservation and biodiversity.
We partner with vendors that prioritize environmentally and socially responsible practices, including recycled materials and Fair Trade products, while reducing packaging waste.
Butterfly Pavilion is recognized by the Colorado Green Business Network with Silver Level certification, reflecting our commitment to sustainable operations.
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Explore Our Exhibits
Six immersive experiences await you — from tropical butterflies to Colorado's own backyard wildlife.
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Our Commitment to Inclusion
On October 21st 2002, The Board of Directors revised, adopted and incorporated the following equal opportunity resolution as part of the by-laws a general public policy of this facility:
"The selection of those employees, consultants, contractors, accountants, attorneys and other professional agents of the facility by the management, Board or any committee or Officer designated to do so, shall be based upon their respective qualification and/or capabilities and shall not be based on age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, gender, military status, veteran status, political service, affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity or gender expression. (as amended by the Board of Directors June 27th 2011.)"
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that Butterfly Pavilion resides on the lands forcibly taken from the Arapaho, Ute, Cheyenne, Shoshone, Lipan Apache, and numerous other Native Nations. These tribal nations and their people are the original stewards of the land and habitats of invertebrates. The community fostered at Butterfly Pavilion commits to improving and enhancing engagement with Indigenous Peoples locally and environmental issues globally.
