Butterfly Pavilion Reopens to the Public June 12 and 13

Butterfly Pavilion to reopen June 12 to members and June 13 to the general public. New experience features timed, small group tours that provide exclusive access to experts and animals, while meeting health and safety protocols set by the State of Colorado and Jefferson County Public Health. Timed entry tickets for members and guests are available online only at butterflies.local.

Media Note: Photos, video and other editorial material is available by request. Rosie the Tarantula, additional animals and scientific experts are available for media appearances and interviews by contacting rpecoraro@butterflies.org.

Westminster, Colo – June, 9, 2020 – Butterfly Pavilion is set to reopen its exhibits to current members on Friday, June 12, and the general public on Saturday, June 13, with a brand new experience using timed, small group tours that maintains social distance and sanitation, while offering exclusive access to live animals, invertebrate experts and the inspiration that comes from exploring the diversity of the invertebrate world.

Operating hours will be from 9 am to 5:30 pm. Members and guests are required to reserve tickets online at butterflies.local prior to arrival and get in line in front of the building at their scheduled entry time. Time slots will be released online on a bi-weekly basis to ensure flexibility should state and municipal health and safety regulations change. Following check-in, guests will be led on an exhibit tour by trained Butterfly Pavilion staff.

General admission will be $13 for adults, $11 for seniors (65+), $9 for children (ages 2 – 12) and free for children under age 2. Members will continue to receive free admission.

Explorer Pass holders will continue to receive $2 admission per person for up to 10 people. Guests may also continue to use free passes for general admission. In either of these two circumstances, call 303-469-9201 to reserve tickets.

In addition to timed entry, Butterfly Pavilion is taking measures to ensure guest and staff safety that meet requirements set by the State of Colorado and Jefferson County Public Health. All guests and staff will be required to wear a mask covering the mouth and nose in the facility. Masks will also be available for purchase for $5 each at the front desk. Staff will conduct frequent hand washing, use alcohol-based sanitizer and wear gloves when necessary. All facility areas will be sanitized hourly throughout the day.

Guests will not be able to hold Rosie the tarantula, but she will be on exhibit for viewing, and the Colorado Backyard indoor play area will be closed until further notice. However, guests will have the opportunity to explore Crawl-A-See-Em presents Survival, Water’s Edge, the Wings of the Tropics butterfly house, the gift shop and the outdoor gardens and nature trails.

“We can’t thank the community enough for their outpouring of support during the time of closure. We’re incredibly excited to reopen our doors and reconnect our guests with the invertebrate discovery and educational engagement that they’ve been missing,” said Patrick Tennyson, President and CEO at Butterfly Pavilion.

Visit butterflies.local and follow Butterfly Pavilion on Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date information on operations and upcoming events and programs.

Virtual Learning Opportunities

For guests who are not quite ready to visit Butterfly Pavilion in person, the organization will continue to offer virtual education programs that may be enjoyed from the comfort of home for only $3 per computer connection. Information on upcoming programs is available at butterflies.local/virtuallearning.

Emergency Fund for Animal Care and Employee Assistance

For those who are able and would like to support Butterfly Pavilion during this difficult time, consider donating to the organization’s emergency fund supporting the thousands of animals that call Butterfly Pavilion home, as well as the staff that cares for them, at butterflies.local/emergencyfund.

About Butterfly Pavilion:

Butterfly Pavilion is the world’s only stand-alone, Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited invertebrate zoo dedicated to transforming the way people think about the small but mighty animals that are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection, and as a member institution of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future. Learn more at butterflies.local.

Butterfly Pavilion Media Contact:

Russ Pecoraro, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, rpecoraro@butterflies.org or 720-375-9984.