Guest Code of Conduct
Effective Date: April 23, 2026
Next Review Date: April 23, 2027
Butterfly Pavilion is a place where curiosity meets conservation. Every living thing in our care — from the tiniest beetle to the most brilliant butterfly — is part of a living science collection and a shared mission to protect invertebrates and the natural world. By visiting, you become part of that mission. The guidelines below help us keep this space safe, welcoming, and inspiring for every guest and every creature in it.
Caring for Our Living Collection
Butterfly Pavilion is home to thousands of living invertebrates, including free-flying butterflies in our tropical conservatory. These animals are living ambassadors for conservation science. Please treat them with the care and respect you would give any wild animal.
•Do not touch, chase, or handle butterflies or other invertebrates unless a staff member invites you to do so during a guided interaction. If a butterfly chooses to land on you, enjoy the moment – that is perfectly fine.
•Move slowly and gently in all animal areas to avoid startling or injuring the animals.
•Do not tap on habitat glass, barriers, or enclosures to avoid stressing the animals.
•Do not feed animals unless you are participating in an authorized Butterfly Pavilion program.
•Do not pick leaves or flowers from our rainforest or our gardens.
•Do not throw items into animal habitats or exhibits. If you accidentally drop something, please alert the nearest team member – do not reach in to retrieve it yourself.
•Do not remove any animal, chrysalis, plant material, or wildlife from Butterfly Pavilion’s exhibits or grounds at any stage of its lifecycle. Doing so will result in your immediate removal from the facility and engagement of law enforcement as needed.
Respect for All People
Butterfly Pavilion is committed to being a welcoming, inclusive space where every person, regardless of background, identity, or ability, feels safe and respected. Discrimination, harassment, and threatening behavior have no place here.
•Treat all guests, team members, and volunteers with courtesy and respect. Verbal or physical harassment, discriminatory language or gestures, threats, and abusive behavior directed at any person will not be tolerated and may result in immediate removal from the facility.
•Hate speech, slurs, or behavior that targets a person’s race, age, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic is strictly prohibited.
•Disruptive behavior in shared spaces, including play areas, exhibit areas, and queuing areas, affects every guest’s experience. Please be mindful of those around you. Repeated requests from team members to limit disruptive behavior may result in being removed from the facility.
•Photography and video recording of other guests, particularly children, without their knowledge or consent is prohibited. Guests found taking inappropriate photos or recordings of others will result in your immediate removal from the facility and engagement of law enforcement as needed.
•If you witness behavior that concerns you or makes you feel unsafe, please alert any Butterfly Pavilion team member immediately or come to the front desk.
Children and Group Supervision
Butterfly Pavilion is a hands-on, immersive environment. Keeping children safe and our living collection protected requires attentive supervision at all times.
•Children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
•Please supervise children closely in all animal areas. Running, sudden movements, and loud noises can stress the animals and create safety risks for guests.
•School and organized groups are required to maintain a minimum ratio of one adult chaperone for every ten children. Group leaders are responsible for the conduct of all members of their group.
•Group chaperones are expected to respond promptly to any concerns raised by Butterfly Pavilion staff regarding their group’s behavior.
Food, Drink, and Personal Items
To protect the health of our living collections and the comfort of all guests, please observe the following guidelines.
•Outside food and beverages (including open-top drinks, cups with straws, and snack items such as ice cream or popsicles) are not permitted inside animal exhibit areas or Colorado Backyard (COBY). Please enjoy food and drinks in our designated dining areas before or after visiting animal spaces. Designated dining areas include picnic tables under the awning outside the gift shop, and all outdoor picnic tables.
•Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted on Butterfly Pavilion property.
•Butterfly Pavilion is a smoke free campus. Smoking, vaping, and the use of any tobacco or cannabis products are not permitted on Butterfly Pavilion property.
•Glass containers are not permitted inside the building.
•Strollers are welcome throughout most of the facility. Please check with a team member for areas where strollers may need to be parked outside.
Photography and Technology
Personal photography is welcome throughout the facility with a few simple guidelines.
•Flash photography is allowed in our exhibits, except for a few animal habitats that are clearly marked with ‘no flash photography’ signage.
•Photography and video recording of other guests, particularly children, without their knowledge or consent is prohibited. Guests found taking inappropriate photos or recordings of others will result in your immediate removal from the facility and engagement of law enforcement as needed.
•Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles are prohibited on Butterfly Pavilion property without express written consent.
•Amplified music and speakers are not permitted in public areas without prior written authorization.
•Photoshoots of any kind require advance written approval and a permit.
•Tripods are not permitted inside animal exhibit areas without a permit.
•Please contact us at VisitorServices@butterflies.org if you have any questions.
Accessibility and Inclusion
Butterfly Pavilion is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive experience for guests of all abilities. Please ask any team member for assistance.
•Service animals trained to perform a specific task for an individual with a disability are welcome in accordance with ADA requirements. Only dogs and miniature horses qualify as service animals under the ADA. Emotional support animals are not permitted.
•Please be aware that our tropical conservatory and other live animal exhibits can be stimulating environments for service animals. Team members are available to discuss options if your service animal shows signs of distress.
•Pets (other than qualified service animals) are not permitted inside the facility.
Prohibited Items
The following items are not permitted on Butterfly Pavilion property:
•Weapons of any kind, including but not limited to firearms, knives, etc.
•Fireworks or explosive materials
•Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles
•Outside alcoholic beverages
•Tobacco products
•Cannabis products
•Glass containers
•Non-service animals
•Solicitation materials or unauthorized distribution of literature
General Safety and Conduct
Please help us keep Butterfly Pavilion safe for everyone.
•Proper attire, including shirts and shoes, must be worn at all times on Butterfly Pavilion property.
•Butterfly Pavilion is a smoke free campus. Smoking, vaping, and the use of any tobacco or cannabis products are not permitted on Butterfly Pavilion property.
•Soliciting on Butterfly Pavilion property is not permitted without prior authorization.
•Please follow all posted signage and any directions given by Butterfly Pavilion team members. In the event of an emergency, follow staff instructions promptly and calmly.
•Adhere to all applicable local, state, and federal laws while on Butterfly Pavilion property.
Enforcement and Guest Removal
Butterfly Pavilion reserves the right to address any guest or group whose behavior violates this Code of Conduct or compromises the safety and experience of others.
•In most cases, a team member will first speak with the guest directly and request a change in behavior.
•If the behavior continues or poses an immediate safety concern exists, the guest or group may be asked to leave the facility without a refund.
•Butterfly Pavilion reserves the right to deny admission to, or require the removal of, any person or group from our property when necessary to protect the safety and wellbeing of guests, team members, animals, or the facility.
•Butterfly Pavilion reserves the right to deny admission to, or require the removal of, visibly intoxicated guests to protect the safety and wellbeing of guests, team members, animals, or the facility.
•Butterfly Pavilion may involve local law enforcement when appropriate.
•Memberships may be suspended or revoked in response to serious or repeated violations of this Code of Conduct.
Questions about any of these guidelines? We are always glad to help. Ask any team member or stop by the front desk.