Insider Tour: Denver Zoo Sea Lion Habitat
Friday, September 26 & Saturday, September 27
Doors Open Denver Early Bird ticket sales begin on July 21st at 4pm for DAF Members and end on August 4 at 4pm, when DAF Member pricing will increase. DAF Membership will be verified upon ticket purchase. Click here to become a DAF member. Tickets will be available for non-DAF members beginning August 18.
About the Tour: Get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance’s Sea Lion habitat—home to a colony of California sea lions. This immersive tour explores how the space was designed for both animal welfare and guest engagement, featuring expansive viewing areas and a 275,000-gallon saltwater pool. You’ll hear from experts on how the Life Support System (LSS) keeps the water clean and safe for the animals and get exclusive access to the infrastructure that makes it all possible. It’s an inside look at how thoughtful design, sustainability, and animal care intersect.
About the Exhibit: The Sea Lion habitat at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance opened in 2025 as a state-of-the-art space designed to support a thriving colony of California sea lions. The habitat features a 275,000-gallon saltwater pool, expansive guest viewing areas—including large underwater windows—and an integrated Life Support System (LSS) that maintains optimal water quality. While much of the infrastructure is hidden from public view, this behind-the-scenes tour offers a look at the engineering and care that powers this dynamic, animal-centered space.
About the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance: Situated on an 80-acre campus with over 2,500 animals serving as ambassadors to their wild counterparts across the world, the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is an enchanting urban field station. Their award-winning education and outreach teams spark curiosity for learners of all ages throughout metropolitan Denver.
As one of Colorado’s most vital cultural cornerstones, Denver Zoo is dedicated to providing the communities they serve with an intimate, inspiring and informative first-hand encounter with the wonders of nature.
About the Tour Guides: Marty Egan, Director of Planning & Design, leads the strategic vision for planning and design at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, where he transforms spaces into meaningful experiences that connect visitors with wildlife and conservation. He oversees the development and implementation of the campus master plan, guiding everything from new animal habitats to enhanced visitor experiences and critical infrastructure improvements. With a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from CU Denver, Marty brings both technical expertise and creative vision to his role. His design philosophy centers on creating inclusive landscapes that celebrate regional culture and ecology.
Blair Neelands, Director of Sustainability & Environmental Compliance drives environmental stewardship at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, where she leads comprehensive sustainability initiatives that reduce the organization’s environmental footprint while supporting conservation goals. She develops and implements strategic programs focused on resource reduction, pollution prevention, and operational efficiency to help the zoo achieve its ambitious sustainability targets while ensuring compliance and striving to exceed regulatory standards. With an MBA and a bachelor’s in communications, Blair brings a business focus to environmental stewardship. Her approach to sustainability emphasizes measurable impact and lasting operational change requires effective communication and cross-departmental collaboration to drive systemic transformation.
Accessibility: The tour includes walking along paved pathways and a short ramp, with periods of standing. One portion of the tour includes a narrow indoor space.
Refund policy: The Denver Architecture Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization. Ticket sales support the Foundation in continuing to provide quality events to the public. We are unable to provide refunds or credits for any reason less than 14 days prior to the event.
Please note that DAF tours take place rain, snow or shine. If your tour includes an outdoor portion, please dress for the weather. DAF staff will contact all attendees directly should a tour be cancelled for any reason.