A Colorado Wildlife Sanctuary

Late last fall, I made a trip back to my home state of Colorado. I spent a week reconnecting with family, catching up with old friends, and exploring the familiar yet always captivating landscape. Although I left Colorado at a young age, and while I have some childhood memories, the majority of my most vivid experiences have come in my adult years.

I was born in Fort Collins, and it remains one of my favorite towns in Colorado. With its year-round sunshine, lively downtown, and endless opportunities to hike, bike, and enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle, it’s a place that never loses its appeal—even in winter!

Of course, no trip back to Colorado is complete without a drive through Rocky Mountain National Park. November might not be the most exciting month to visit, but I couldn’t resist stopping by, hoping to catch a glimpse of a bighorn sheep or moose. Once again, I came up short, but that only makes me more determined to spot one on my next visit.

The main reason for my trip, however, was to celebrate my mom’s milestone birthday. She decided to celebrate the day with a visit to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado, located about thirty miles north of Denver. Given my deep respect for wildlife, I was thrilled for this adventure too—and I’ll never turn down the chance to spend a day with animals (as long as they’re not being exploited).

The Wild Animal Sanctuary is a true haven for rescued wildlife. Situated on over 1,000 acres of land, the sanctuary provides a safe, natural environment for a variety of large carnivores, including lions, tigers, bears, mountain lions, wolves, foxes, and lynxes. Many of the residents have endured abuse, neglect, or illegal captivity, and the sanctuary’s mission is to offer them a safe refuge for the rest of their lives.

Initially, the sanctuary was closed to the public, but as a way to raise awareness and encourage donations, they built a “Mile into the Wild” walkway. The walkway is elevated above the ground, allowing visitors to view the animals without disturbing them. Wild animals are territorial by nature, but they do not consider the sky their domain, so this elevated path minimizes any stress they might feel.

With so much ground to explore, it’s hard to predict which animals you'll encounter, but with patience, you’re likely to spot a variety of wildlife. Sometimes they’re far off in the distance, while other times, they’ll be right beneath your feet.

I was fortunate enough to observe a pair of lions engaging in a conversation—an experience I’ll never forget. A lone wolf was sprawled by the walkway and I walked by, it looked up at me with a gaze so intense I felt like I could peer directly into its soul. There were also several rescued foxes, who had been saved from the fur trade, and a tiger that playfully frolicked in the grass as the sun set.

I’m always in awe of these magnificent creatures and saddened by the stories of their pasts. It’s hard not to feel a mix of admiration and heartbreak when learning about the suffering these animals have endured.

The need for sanctuaries like this continues to grow, and there are several other locations to visit throughout Colorado and Texas. If you’d like to learn more about The Wild Animal Sanctuary and support their work, I encourage you to visit their website here.