The Wildlife Experience Donated To University Of Colorado
DENVER (CBS4)- The University of Colorado has received the largest real estate donation in its 138-year history- The Wildlife Experience.
The Wildlife Experience, worth $40 million, is located in Douglas County. Dave and Gail Liniger and their family will allow CU to expand its new CU South Denver presence.
The facility hosts exhibits in fine art, natural history and interactive science each year and provides space for private and community events.
Dave Liniger is the chairman emeritus of The Wildlife Experience, which was founded in 2002 and is designed to serve as a cultural and educational center and a community asset for south Denver.
The gift is the latest in a collaboration that began in April with the Linigers teamed with CU, coverting 11,000 square feet of he 151,000 square foot facility to classroom and lab space. CU began offering classes there in August.
The first classes at the facility are being offered by CU Denver and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. CU's Boulder and Colorado Springs campuses are expected to add programs in the future. CU Denver will manage the facility on behalf of the system.
In recognition of the Linigers' generosity the CU Board of Regents approved naming the facility the Liniger Building at the University of Colorado South Denver.
"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," said 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."
"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."
Some CU classes at the facility are underway and others are scheduled to begin in October. Among the offerings from CU Denver and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus are programs from the Business School, the School of Education and Human Development, the College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Nursing and the Colorado School of Public Health.
