8 places to interact with animals in Colorado

Colorado is known for its beautiful outdoors and wildlife, so it's not surprising that the Centennial State offers plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with some truly incredible animals.

While visitors should never approach animals in the wild for a number of reasons, their are designated places to interact with animals around the state.

Here are eight places in Colorado that offer interactions with animals, ranging from lions to wolves to stingrays:

1. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

In addition to offering what's expected out of visit to a zoo, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo offers custom animal experiences. Visitors can get the opportunity to go behind the scenes with the zookeepers and get up close and personal with the animals. The zoo offers chances to meet and feed many animals, including African lions, Amur leopards, elephants, giraffes, and more. Some of the experiences can get a bit pricy, but the giraffe encounter costs less than $10 and a walk-through wallaby exhibit comes with admission.

2. Falconry at The Broadmoor

Take part in the "sport of kings," at The Broadmoor's falconry program. You'll get to interact with majestic birds of prey including owls, hawks, and falcons, guided by an experienced falconer. You'll also get to see a soaring flight demonstration and have the opportunity to hold one of the birds.

3. Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance

Visitors get to feed and touch four different types of sea life at the Denver Zoo's Stingray Cove. The exhibit is inspired by the "unique landscape and vibrant culture" of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula. The exhibit is home to cownose and southern stingrays and bamboo and bonnethead sharks. The Denver Zoo also has the Lorikeet Adventure where visitors can stroll through the aviary as the birds fly overhead.

4. Downtown Aquarium

Denver's Downtown Aquarium offers the opportunity to dive with five different species of sharks in the 400,000-gallon Shipwreck exhibit. Scuba guides will fit guests with the proper equipment before guiding them into the underwater cage.

5. Colorado Gators Reptile Park

Many visitors to Colorado find it odd that there's a massive alligator rescue in the middle of the San Luis Valley, but Colorado Gators Reptile Park is definitely worth the visit for reptile enthusiasts. All visitors will get the opportunity to pet, hold, and take pictures with a small alligator, with other interactions sometimes available, too.

6. Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center

Enjoy a one-hour walking tour through this wolf sanctuary, where you'll see the beautiful wolves, as well as coyotes and foxes. On the tour, guests will learn about the history, biology, and current issues that wolves face today. The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center also offers the feeding tour, in which you'll see your guide feed the animals, and the Full Moon tour, which includes seasonal beverages and sweets. For a truly 'up-close' experience, check out the VIP Interactive Sessions, where participants get to interact with a wolf.

7. The Wild Animal Sanctuary

Take a walk along The Wild Animal Sanctuary's elevated walkway to see lions, tigers, bears, and wolves. Each animal living at the Sanctuary was rescued from an illegal or abusive situation. The Sanctuary recommends visiting in the evening during the summer because the animals are most active when the temperatures cool off. Visitors can enjoy dinner at the Sanctuary's observation decks as they observe the animals.

8. Butterfly Pavilion

Guests can stroll among free-flying butterflies and Rosie the famous tarantula at the Butterfly Pavilion. This invertebrate zoo offers other unique, hands-on learning experiences. Check out the Butterfly Pavilion's calendar for all kinds of fun and educational programs.