The Colorado Zoo That Doesn’t Have Any Animals

There is a zoo in Colorado that has no animals.

The Swetsville Zoo in Fort Collins welcomes visitors who won't find any "Don't Feed the Animals" signs. That is because this zoo does not have any animals.

What you will find at the Swetsville Zoo is about 180 metal sculptures created by Bill Swets, ranging from wildflowers to dinosaurs and spaceships, with a host of other interesting features. He started making the creations in 1985 and the number has steadily grown over the years.

Admission is free, although donations are accepted. Swets says between 15,000 and 20,000 people visit the zoo every year.

But, now, at age 78, Swets is ready to sell the zoo and the 36 acres of land on Harmony Road near Interstate 25. The asking price is $10.5 million.

Who knows what the future of the Swetsville Zoo is and whether a new owner will keep the zoo going or develop the land for other uses. We better get a trip to the Swetsville Zoo on our bucket list before it's too late.

Swets says he wants people to walk away from the place with the idea there's still a "little bit of happiness left in the world."

[COLORADOAN]