BLUFF LAKE NATURE CENTER

CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

In February 2026, Bluff Lake Nature Center unveiled the new Campus Improvements Project to our community. Read on to learn about the journey and results of this transformational project!

OPPORTUNITY

HISTORY

INVEST

VISION

OPPORTUNITY

With the growth of the neighborhoods around our site, general visitation and our education programs at BLNC grew significantly in a short amount of time.

In order to sustainably manage the site and continue providing outdoor experiences in the city, we needed to do major campus improvements.

Before this project, the site had no utility hookups, very little infrastructure, and our team worked out of an office several miles away.

VISION

Bluff Lake selected the design team of Shape Architecture and Superbloom Landscape Architecture & Planning to be our partners to build Bluff Lake’s sustained future.

Shape, Superbloom, and Bluff Lake’s shared philosophy of contextual, ecologically-inspired design, proven experience and commitment to crafting meaningful connections between people and the land made this team an ideal partner to bring Bluff Lake’s inspiring vision to life.

Cumming Group was our owners representative and project management team. Howell Construction was our general contractor.

KEY PROJECT ELEMENTS

  • PUBLIC SPACES (Classrooms, Lobby, Restrooms, Drinking Fountains, Shaded Outdoor Areas)

  • TEAM HEADQUARTERS (Meeting Rooms, Offices, Outdoor Site Workshop, Storage)

  • ACCESSIBLE PARKING LOT

  • ACCESSIBLE RAMP AND STAIRS

  • NET-ZERO BUILDING (Utilizing solar and other sustainable technologies)

  • Community Engagement @ Montbello Public Library

  • Community Engagement @ Stanley Marketplace

  • Design Team research

  • Design Process: Considering Sun Exposure

  • Building Goals

  • Groundbreaking

  • Demolition

  • Construction

  • Construction Tour

  • Accessible ramp and stairs construction

  • Nearly completed!

  • Grand Opening Celebration!

HISTORY

Follow the journey of this project at the slideshow below, or revisit all our project related blog posts, from the construction updates to the grand opening, to see the timeline in more detail

INVEST

The Wall of Philanthropy in the Campus Gateway, recognizing donors who contributed $1,000+ to the campaign.

Recognition Opportunities
Keystone Families
PDF Pledge Form
Online Pledge Form

Ready to make your commitment?

Contact Development Director Leila Regan-Porter

at leila@blufflake.org

The Capital Campaign raised over $8.5 million from more than 1,200 donors. Thank you to all our incredible community of supporters for making this project possible!

You can still support this project and offset the costs to the organization, while taking advantage of tax credits and recognition opportunities, including the Pollinator Garden, Wellness Room, benches, overlooks, and a spot on the Wall of Philanthropy (pictured below right). Check out our full Recognition Opportunities document or email Development Director Leila Regan-Porter at leila@blufflake.org for more information.

Supports of this project include”

  • Smith/Dobos Family **Keystone Family

  • Barker Family **Keystone Family

  • Harvey Family Foundation

  • Ho/Zeigler Family **Keystone Family

  • Valore-Caplan Family **Keystone Family

  • Freyer/Walker Family **Keystone Family

  • Konrad Family **Keystone Family

  • Norris Family **Keystone Family

  • Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)

  • Rocky Mountain Arsenal Natural Resource Damages Fund

  • Colorado Health Foundation

  • Gates Family Foundation

  • Morgridge Family Foundation

  • The Care Fund (via Leota Pekrul Trust)

  • Renewable Energy Trust

  • City of Denver

  • Nichols Family

  • Robb-Davis Family

  • Skramstad Family

  • LARRK Foundation

  • Boettcher Foundation

  • Anschutz Foundation

  • Merganser Fund

  • Walker Family

  • Fitzpatrick/Mason Family

  • Levene Family

  • Metro Denver Nature Alliance

  • Adobe Employee Giving Program