Temporarily Closed

During the final phase of the Hellems Building reconstruction project, the CU Museum will be closed for reorganization. We will reopen on the first day of Spring Semester, January 8, 2026. Special access requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please email cumuseum@colorado.edu for more information. 

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Will Taylor standing by horse in Mongolian plains

Curator of Archaeology Dr. William T. Taylor named 2025 NSF CAREER award winner

Taylor has been awarded major early-career development support for his research project “Understanding Animal Domestication and Human-Environmental Relationships"

Learn more 

Fluted Bryzoan in ocean water

New fossil research shows multiple, viable pathways for the evolution of division of labor.

A new fossil study from CU Museum paleobiologists offers insight on how some colony-forming animals, divided labor millions of years ago.

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Artistic illustration of possum-like animal with long tail and short fur

Curator of Paleontology Dr. Jaelyn Eberle and team discover new prehistoric mammal species

The opposum-like animal, a distant cousin of modern marsupials, lived 70–75 million years ago in northwestern Colorado.

Read more in Newsweek 

Green algal cells in petri dish on counter

CU Boulder geologists awarded $1 million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation

Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology Carl Simpson and colleague Lizzy Trower win $1 million in funding to extend the Earth’s temperature record by 2 billion years!

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Wyoming ground squirrel

Curator of Vertebrates Christy McCain honored with Distinguished Research Lectureship

McCain studies how montane organisms are distributed on mountains around the world, and how those populations and species are influenced by human land use and climate change.

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Unloading the Triceratops skeleton from a truck

Triceratops returns to CU campus, bigger and better than ever!

CU Museum unveils full-scale cast and exhibit in the lobby of the Sustainability, Energy and Environment Community (SEEC) building on East Campus. 

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Researchers sifting dirt on the shores of the Alaskan coast

Curator of Paleontology Dr. Jaelyn Eberle and team discover tiny fossil mammal in northern Alaska

The tiny ‘ice mouse’ thrived in what may have been among the coldest conditions on Earth about 73 million years ago.

Read more at CU Boulder Today 

Hawk specimen

Exhibits

Featuring five exhibition galleries to explore natural and human history through engaging and interactive displays. Open seven days a week and always free!

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kids looking at animal skull

Family Programs

Take your curiosity on a play date. Free programs engage children and families throughout the year.

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dried cattail

Research and Collections

With nearly five million objects, the CU Museum houses the largest natural history collection in the region.

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Adults at the CU Greenhouse

Adult Programs

Engage with experts and artists while meeting others who share your passion for natural and cultural history.

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Girl holding artifact

School Programs

Hands-on learning with real objects enriches the classroom experience. Check out our guided tours, workshops, and kit programs.

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Student at Mesa Verde

Join our MFS Program

We offer a Master's of Science in Museum & Field Studies as well as a Professional Certificate for museum professionals and graduate students in other departments.

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Featured Exhibits

A Family Tradition: Acoma pottery, CU, and the Lewis family

Anthropology Hall
Learn about one of Acoma Pueblo's most accomplished potter families, the Lewis family, and the way their work has been shared across generations.

Trees: A visual narrative of our enduring relationships with trees through the seasons

TreeSpace Gallery
This juried exhibition celebrates the glory of trees through the eyes of artists from the Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists.

Take a Closer Look

McKenna Gallery
Explore an elegant collection of Museum objects through the macro photography lens of Felix Salazar.

Horses in the North American West

Anthroplogy Hall / Online
Understand when, why, and how horses shaped human history by studying horse equipment and ancient animal bones.

Museum From Home Highlights

Family Activities

Download activities for family fun. Disponible en español.

Upcoming Events

Browse our full calendar of lectures and events.

Lecture Archive

Watch past lectures in our online video archive.

Museum Unlocked

Go behind the scenes of the CUMNH in our new podcast.

Ways to Connect

Follow us on social media or join our mailing list.

Family, Student, and Adult Programs

Children and Families

Free programs and hands-on exhibits engage children and families throughout the year.

 

Students and Faculty

Check out our programs for lectures and workshops. Study or meet with students in the Biolounge. Use the museum for a class project!

BioLounge 
Students Using the Museum 
Faculty Using the Museum 

Adults

Engage with experts and artists while meeting others who share your passion for natural and cultural history.

AIA Lecture Series 
Tree Walks 

Schools and Groups

Our guided programs are fun, interactive, and developed to address state and local school curriculum standards.

Field Trips 
Schedule a Tour 
Discovery Kits for the Classroom 

What's On