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Butterfly Pavilion commits to staying in Westminster and proposes 30,000–40,000 sq ft expansion and new tropical exhibits
Summary
Butterfly Pavilion leaders told council they plan to remain in Westminster, pursue a major expansion on adjacent land, and seek to raise the institution’s profile as an invertebrate zoo with new exhibits, research labs and greater community programming.
Butterfly Pavilion leadership told the Westminster City Council on Aug. 18 that the nonprofit will remain on its current site and is proposing a multi‑phase expansion to add exhibits, research space and outdoor pollinator features that would increase visitation and economic impact for the city.
Ryan Welch, president and CEO of Butterfly Pavilion, said the organization “is the first Association of Zoos and Aquariums‑accredited standalone nonprofit zoo in the world” and that the center has been located in Westminster since it was established in 1995. Welch said the pavilion is “busting at the seams” and outlined a conceptual plan for a new 30,000–40,000 square‑foot building north of the existing facility, a remodel of the current building and outdoor connections—pollinator corridors, classroom spaces and landscapes—designed to blend indoor exhibits with surrounding parks and trails.
The proposed expansion would add a tropical biome, a desert ecosystem and rotating exhibits, plus event space and retail to support year‑round visitation, Welch said. The pavilion projected it draws more than 350,000 visitors annually and argues an expanded facility would further position Westminster as a regional destination for family‑oriented science and conservation programming.
Mark Corbett, chair of the Butterfly Pavilion Board, described the leadership’s rationale for keeping operations in Westminster and focusing growth on the existing site: “This site is perfect for the Butterfly Pavilion. It has tremendous visibility from the highway. We link in with all of your parks. There’s retail, there’s infrastructure, there’s hotels, there’s parking.”
City staff and councilors discussed next steps and potential partnerships. Community Services Director Lindsey Kimball said city staff have worked closely with Butterfly Pavilion leadership and welcomed the organization’s intent to remain in Westminster. Councilors asked about sustainability goals and regional collaboration; pavilion leaders said the project aims for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold for the new building, is evaluating solar and electrification for operations, and plans to continue research partnerships with Colorado State University and other institutions.
Council members praised the pavilion’s community work and asked staff to continue coordinating on land‑use, infrastructure and economic development implications if the project moves forward to formal application. No land‑use approvals were sought on Aug. 18; pavilion leaders said they will return with formal proposals and that the earliest major construction could start would be after further design, fundraising and permitting.
