Denver Museum of Nature and Science to begin second phase of East Wing Project in April
DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is getting ready to start construction on the next phase of its East Wing Project, which it said will begin in April.
The project is made possible by the museum's largest private donation in its history — a $20 million gift from the Sturm Family Foundation. The goal is to create an updated, campus-style venue and gathering place as a fluid environment between the museum and outdoor spaces.
This is the best museum in Colorado, according to Conde Nast Traveler
The East Wing Project will 'rejuvenate and reimagine' the museum's theater, lobby and plaza on the museum's east side to 'bring about extraordinary new possibilities for the community.'
The first phase of the project has been completed and was unveiled as the state-of-the-art Infinity Theater in early 2023, which has an advanced projection system, improved accessibility features and a level stage for lectures and performances.
On April 8, a groundbreaking ceremony will mean the second phase of the project is officially underway. The second phase will include upgrades and renovation to the remaining East Wing and Plaza, 'creating dynamic indoor and outdoor spaces designed for interactive science demonstrations, immersive film experiences and educational opportunities for camp-goers and school groups,' according to the museum's website.
The construction means some closures: The Infinity Theater will be closed temporarily starting April 8 with an anticipated reopening date in late July. No other sections of the museum will be impacted.
The project is designed to make the East Wing feel like the unofficial community gathering place it once was. The space created will welcome guests and passersby to pause and enjoy the peaceful space by catching up with a friend or chancing an encounter with a curator or a museum educator.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Yahoo
Native fish repopulating Colorado River Connectivity Channel faster than anticipated: CPW
DENVER (KDVR) — Aquatic biologists with Colorado Parks and Wildlife said Friday that they are continuing to observe a quicker-than-anticipated increase in native fish in the recently finished Colorado River Connectivity Channel project at Windy Gap Reservoir, near Granby. The aquatic biologists completed the first-ever raft electrofishing survey at the river connectivity channel in early May, according to CPW, which said the researchers estimated nearly 850 brown trout and about 221 rainbow trout more than six inches in length already live within a one-mile reach of the connectivity channel. Section of Loveland's Recreation Trail Loop under construction to reopen June 1 'It was very exciting to see a healthy number of adult trout occupying all of this new habitat,' said Jon Ewert, CPW Hot Sulphur Springs Area Aquatic Biologist, in a statement. 'Especially considering that we have not stocked a single fish into the channel.' The Colorado River Connectivity Project reconnected aquatic habitats that were fragmented by the construction of the Windy Gap Reservoir in 1985. The project was finished in the fall of 2023. CPW biologists also previously observed 'extensive' brown trout spawning activity in the river connectivity channel last fall, along with 'moderate' rainbow trout spawning activity this spring, the agency said. The agency also documented positive signs of native fish repopulating in the river connectivity channel earlier than anticipated last fall, with an aquatic research team finding evidence at that time of native sculpin returning to the upper Colorado River and the river connectivity channel after several decades of absence in nearly 30 miles of their former habitat. CPW said it may take years for the beneficial effects of the river connectivity channel to be 'fully realized,' but that their findings suggest the health of the river could be improving faster than expected. Orangutan escapes exhibit after a 'malfunction' at Denver Zoo 'Seeing such positive results with water flowing through this new river section for just over a year, we anticipate that this fish population will continue to grow,' Ewert said. The new river section is currently closed to public fishing access, according to CPW, which said it expects to open the area to the public after it has had sufficient time to 'fully revegetate,' via 'a couple more' growing seasons. Coloradans who would like to learn more about the Colorado River Connectivity Channel Project can find more information online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Yahoo
Colorado cactus removed from endangered species list after nearly 50 years
DENVER (KDVR) — A cactus in Colorado is recovering, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service was able to take it off the endangered species list after it was considered a federally threatened species for nearly 50 years. The Colorado hookless cactus is a small, barrel-shaped cactus with pink flowers that bloom in late April and early May. It is usually found around the Gunnison River basins and canyons in western Colorado. While these cacti are usually found in Colorado — they thrive in semi-arid, high-elevation desert environments — there wasn't exactly a surplus in the state. Bobcat suprises deputies after sneaking into Ken Caryl home Since 1979, the service said it was federally listed as a threatened species. That is, until the service announced on Wednesday that it had removed the cactus from the federal list of endangered and threatened plants due to its recovery. The service said threats to the cactus were eliminated or reduced, and the species no longer meets the definition of a threatened or endangered species. Recent scientific data also shows the species is 'more abundant than previously known at the time of listing.' Fact or Myth? Common thunder and lightning phrases you may still believe 'This decision is based on the best available scientific and commercial information and reflects ongoing conservation efforts and improved scientific data on the species,' the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said in a press release. The service said this is thanks to the help of the recovery partners, which include the Bureau of Land Management, the Colorado Natural Heritage Program and the Denver Botanic Gardens. While the species is no longer considered threatened or endangered, the service said it will continue to work with partners to monitor the species' long-term stability. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
2 Colorado students to compete in the 2025 National Spelling Bee
DENVER (KDVR) — Nearly 250 of the best young spellers from across the U.S. will compete in the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee, and two competitors happen to be from C-O-L-O-R-A-D-O. On May 28 and 29, 243 spelling champions will compete for the Scripps Cup and the ultimate title as the best speller in the country. The 2025 bee is extra special because it marks the 100th anniversary. 'While only nine spellers participated in that first competition, their legacy lives on in the millions of students who compete at all levels of the spelling bee program today,' said the National Spelling Bee on its website. There are hundreds of spellers aged eight to 14, and two Colorado middle schoolers will rub shoulders with the best of the best. The champion will receive a $50,000 cash prize, a commemorative medal, the official Scripps Cup and more. 'Your life isn't over': Aurora school helps teen parents graduate Meet your 2025 Colorado National Spelling Bee competitors: Blanche Li is an eighth grader at Summit Middle Charter School in Boulder. This isn't the 14-year-old's first time competing in the National Spelling Bee. According to her bio, she previously competed in the 2021 bee, where she tied for 111th place. However, according to her school district, she had to compete virtually due to the pandemic. After winning the 2025 Boulder Valley Regional Spelling Bee with the word 'diatreme,' a volcanic pipe associated with a gaseous explosion, she will head to Washington, D.C., to set foot on that coveted national stage. Li said she enjoys public speaking and ultimately wants to be a lawyer to help people pursue justice. Outside of school, the 14-year-old plays clarinet and tenor saxophone in her school band and enjoys Ultimate Frisbee. In her free time, you can catch Li hanging out with friends, solving Rubik's Cubes and building Lego sets. Vedanth Raju is a seventh grader at Aurora Quest K-8 School, and he plans to spell his way to the top after winning the Colorado State Spelling Bee. Raju is already making headlines in his hometown. After winning the Colorado State Spelling Bee and the Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman declared March 25 as 'Vedanth Raju Day' in honor of all his accomplishments. Outside of academia, the National Spelling Bee said Raju has many interests. Some of his favorite hobbies include playing basketball, Python programming and learning new things while watching 'Jeopardy!' with his brother. Speaking of his brother, Raju isn't the only speller in the family. According to the National Spelling Bee, Raju is following in the footsteps of his brother Vikram, who was a 2022 runner-up. Aurora Quest K-8 student wins 2nd at Scripps National Spelling Bee As noted by his win in the regional science and engineering fair, Raju has a passion for science, nature and animals. Colorado has had a handful of National Spelling Bee winners over the course of the 100-year-old competition. The most recent Colorado champion was in 2002. G-O-O-D L-U-C-K to the Colorado competitors as they spell their way to the top. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
