In case you haven’t heard, there are more than 250 alligators you can visit in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. While that might seem like an odd place for gators to be, the geothermal water in the area makes it suitable for this rescue mission to operate year-round. Operating as Colorado Gators Reptile Park, the company made a major announcement on April 16 indicating that a ‘Jurassic-sized’ expansion may be ahead.

Per the announcement, the operation was approached about purchasing the now-closed Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience facility that’s located in Cañon City and near the Royal Gorge. Priced at $2.25 million and spanning 19,000 square feet of space on 36 acres off of Highway 50 per LoopNet, acquiring the property would be a major expansion for Colorado Gators. With the goal of purchasing the space for an interactive natural history museum, Colorado Gators has launched a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of raising $3.1 million – enough to cover the cost of the purchase, plus money to build out the space. With the deadline for the fundraiser being 59 days away, those who pledge money to the effort will be eligible for various awards, as well.

While Colorado Gators Reptile Park is all about up-close animal encounters and the rescue effort, the Cañon City operation would be quite different if it comes to fruition, serving as more of a family-friendly adventure park and museum with a touch of animal encounters, too.

“We envision an interactive natural history museum that incorporates fossils of extinct dinosaurs with their relatives that are still alive today,” reads the KickStarter page. “We will take a museum that has closed and add animal habitats for rescued reptiles in a one of a kind exhibit that has never been seen before! We will also engage families with adventures such as a ropes course, life size replicas of dinosaurs, feeding emus and tortoises, and even zip lines and mini-golf! Children and adults alike will be encouraged to put down their devices with unique experiences while also learning about nature and wildlife! This will also allow us to expand the animal rescue work we have been doing since 1990.”

At this time, Colorado Gators is hoping to have a closing date for the property by the end of August 2026 with habitats completed by December 2026 and a soft opening taking place the following month. A grand opening to the general public would then come in March of 2027.

Those who wish to help support the effort should know that they’ll only be charged if the project meets its goal by the campaign deadline, per the Kickstarter page. Rewards for pledging money to the cause range from a two-person ropes course experience for a $20 pledge to a five-year family VIP pass for those pledging $2,500 or more.

Should the expansion take place, Colorado Gators Reptile Park will continue to operate in the San Luis Valley. The Cañon City spot would be a second location for the company.

Learn more about the possible expansion and the Kickstarter campaign here.

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