$40M Wildlife Museum Donated to the University of Colorado

By Ioana Neamt, Associate Editor

The University of Colorado recently received the largest real estate donation in its 138-year history: The Wildlife Experience facility in south Denver. The donation was made by Dave and Gail Liniger and their family in order to help the University expand its new CU South Denver presence. Dave Liniger, chairman emeritus of The Wildlife Experience founded in 2002, is also the co-founder of Real Estate MAXimum (REMAX) International, an international real estate company.

The collaboration with the University of Colorado began in April 2014 when the Linigers converted 11,000 square feet of the 151,000-square-foot facility to classroom and lab space. CU began hosting classes at the site in August.

“Dave and Gail Liniger have demonstrated a vision and commitment to serving our community and state that will have a substantial impact for decades to come,” says CU President Bruce D. Benson. “We value the confidence they have in CU and appreciate their transformational gift. The Wildlife Experience has been a cultural touchstone in south Denver and adding higher education will build on its commitment to the community.”

The Wildlife Experience is a wildlife conservation museum established in 2002 in Parker, Colo., approximately ten miles south of Denver. Its mission is to serve as a cultural center and community asset for south Denver, and to inspire an appreciation and respect for wildlife and the outdoors.

The first classes at the facility are being offered by CU Denver and the CU Anschutz Campus, with more classes to be offered by CU’s Boulder and Colorado Springs campuses. The facility will offer a wide variety of classes from programs including the Business School, the School of Education and Human Development, the College of Liberal Arta and Sciences, and the Colorado School of Public Health.

As a sign of appreciation, the CU Board of Regents approved naming the facility the Liniger Building at the University of Colorado South Denver.

“Gail and I are making this gift to CU to provide more services and more value to our south Denver community,” Liniger said. “The museum remains open, events will be held, and the public spaces will be available for rental. The added value now is the easy access to a quality CU education right here in south Denver.”

Image courtesy of the CU Denver Office of Communication