Denver Museum of Nature & Science

What Denver Museum of Nature & Science does

Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit natural history museum founded in 1868 and located at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205. It maintains a permanent collection of 4.3 million artifacts and specimens across more than 20 curatorial collections spanning anthropology, paleontology, geology, zoology, and space sciences, and operates 363 days per year with a workforce of 251-500 employees. The museum serves a broad audience that includes regional families, K-12 school groups, tourists, and adult learners, with no single customer segment dominating the mix.

The museum's core products are its permanent and rotating exhibitions, education programs, and live events, anchored by content partnerships such as the World's Largest Dinosaurs exhibition with the American Museum of Natural History (March 2026), the Changing Landscapes and Discovering Teen Rex programs, and ongoing field research that produces new specimen and content assets (e.g., the dinosaur fossil recovered 763 feet below the parking lot in January 2025). Underlying capabilities include in-house research laboratories—the Earth Sciences Lab and Digital Research Lab—equipped with microCT, photogrammetry, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing tools, plus outreach platforms such as Virtual Science Academy, Scientists in Action live broadcasts, and the Discovery Station mobile popup program.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack combining earned income (admissions, memberships, food and beverage, retail, event rentals, and paid education programs) with contributed income (corporate sponsorships from Kaiser Permanente, Lockheed Martin, and the Anschutz Foundation; public funding via the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District; grants; and individual donations). Distribution is multi-channel: onsite at the Denver campus, offsite through traveling exhibitions and mobile popups, and digitally via virtual programming. The museum is currently executing the East Wing Project and a 50% expansion of the Gems & Minerals Hall as its primary capital growth vectors.

Name

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Legal name

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Website

https://dmns.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1868

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a nonprofit natural history museum founded in 1868 that maintains 4.3 million specimens across 20+ collections, serving families, schools, and tourists with exhibitions, education programs, and active scientific research in Denver, Colorado.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Museum and Educational Services

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Natural History Museums (THAJADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD), Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums) (THAAAFAG), Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB)

Keywords

• Natural history exhibitions
• Science education programs
• Museum admissions
• Wildlife research
• Cultural education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: General admission tickets ($25.95 adult, $20.95 youth, $22.95 senior), special exhibition tickets, planetarium shows, Infinity Theater films, and laser shows. Revenue from individual and group admissions.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership providing free admission 363 days per year plus discounts and benefits. Member pricing for add-on experiences.
3. Food Services: T.Rex Cafe (open 11am-2pm), Coffee Lab (8:30am-4pm), and Grab & Go Deli. Accepts cash, credit, Apple Pay, and DMNS gift cards.
4. Museum Shop: Onsite and online retail merchandise including gifts, exhibition memorabilia, science projects, with curbside pickup available.
5. Event Hosting: Corporate events, weddings, birthday parties, and private event rentals with full catering services and multiple unique venue spaces accommodating 40-650 guests.
6. Education Programs: Science camps, Wonder Workshops ($270 for 3 sessions), Curiosity Kits ($120), Virtual Science Academy ($140 first class, $120 subsequent), and school group programs with some free admission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a natural history museum offering permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational programs for schools and the public, and active scientific research programs in fields such as paleontology, anthropology, and wildlife biology. It operates a 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution serving visitors on-site and through outreach in the Rocky Mountain region.

Product overview

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a natural history museum offering a comprehensive visitor experience through its core General Admission ticket providing access to permanent exhibitions, combined with add-on experiences including the Sturm Infinity Theater (giant screen documentaries), Gates Planetarium (space shows), and Laser Shows (music laser experiences). The museum hosts rotating temporary exhibitions such as 'The World's Largest Dinosaurs' and 'Changing Landscapes,' along with specialized spaces like Discovery Zone for children and Wildlife Halls featuring over 90 dioramas. Educational offerings include School Field Trips, Science Camps, Birthday Parties, and the Science Lounge adult program. Community outreach programs extend the museum's reach through offsite locations including Dinosaur Gulch at Cherry Creek and Discovery Station mobile pop-ups. The museum also maintains extensive scientific collections of 4.3 million artifacts supporting ongoing research in paleontology, geology, zoology, and anthropology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Museum Exhibitions
• Educational Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Free admission for school groups and youth organizations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Museum of Natural HistorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMNH organized and developed 'The World's Largest Dinosaurs' exhibition, which is presented at DMNS in the Phipps Gallery on the Museum's third floor. DMNS hosts this traveling exhibition from March 20 through September 7, 2026.
• Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSCFD is a voter-approved special district providing stable supplemental funding to over 300 scientific and cultural organizations in the seven-county metro area. SCFD funding enables free admission days and nights at DMNS. The district collects one-tenth of 1 percent sales-and-use tax, providing approximately $40 million annually to area cultural attractions.
• CityPASScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDenver CityPASS bundles DMNS admission with 2-4 other top Denver attractions, offering visitors up to 42% savings. No advanced reservations required.
• ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorASTC Passport Program provides free general admission for two adults and children up to age 18 for members of participating science centers located more than 90 miles from Denver and from the visitor's home.
• Kaiser PermanenteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKaiser Permanente sponsors the Expedition Health exhibition at the museum, featuring interactive health and wellness exhibits.
• LyftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRideshare partner providing promotional code DMNSNEW for $5 off 3 rides for new users, facilitating visitor transportation to the museum.
• Laser FantasycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresents laser shows at the museum, providing cosmic concert series with immersive music and light experiences including Taylor Swift, Pink Floyd, K-Pop Demon Hunters, and AC/DC shows.
• Denver FilmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for CO150 celebration of Colorado cinema, screening films with Colorado connections at the museum including Dr. Strangelove and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
• Museum of Science, BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-created Black Hole Symphony, an immersive multimedia experience combining live orchestral performance with astrophysics visualizations, featuring original score by composer David Ibbett.
• Multiverse Concert SeriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-created Black Hole Symphony with Museum of Science, Boston, providing the musical performance component of the immersive astrophysics experience.
• Cherry Creek Shopping CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Dinosaur Gulch interactive play area designed for young children (ages 0-5) on the lower level near Macy's, bringing museum experiences to retail environment.
• Colorado Mills MallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Mars Outpost space-themed early childhood play area in Lakewood, bringing museum's science programming to community shopping center.
• Colorado State University (CSU) SpurminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscovery Station partners with CSU Spur's Second Saturdays at the National Western Center's Main Campus Plaza for community events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: Major natural history museum with extensive research collections in paleontology, anthropology, and zoology. Comparable in scale of exhibitions, research output, and community programming.
• Houston Museum of Natural Science: Major U.S. natural history museum with comparable permanent and temporary exhibitions, planetarium, giant screen theater, and education programs across the Texas region.
• American Museum of Natural History: The flagship natural history museum in the U.S., with comparable collections, exhibition scale, and research divisions. DMNS has a direct partnership with AMNH, hosting 'The World's Largest Dinosaurs' traveling exhibition organized by AMNH.
• Field Museum: Major natural history museum in Chicago with comparable scientific collections (including SUE the T. rex), research programs, and exhibition offerings across paleontology, anthropology, and zoology.
• Carnegie Museum of Natural History: Pittsburgh-based natural history museum with significant paleontological collections (including a major T. rex), research programs, and educational offerings comparable to DMNS.
• Royal Tyrrell Museum: Canada's premier paleontology-focused museum in Alberta. Direct peer in dinosaur fossil research and exhibition, with comparable discovery-driven programming around field finds.
• Museum of Science, Boston: Large science museum with planetarium, IMAX theater, and educational programming. Direct peer and co-creation partner with DMNS on 'Black Hole Symphony' immersive experience.
• Cincinnati Museum Center: Multi-museum complex featuring natural history, children's museum, and history exhibits under one roof. Comparable in scale of collections, mix of permanent and temporary exhibits, and educational mission.
• California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco-based natural history institution combining aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum under one roof. Comparable in scale of research, education programs, and family-oriented visitor experience.

Broad incumbents

• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: The largest natural history museum in the world, with massive research collections, free admission, and global brand recognition. Direct comparator in scope and mission, though federally funded and free to public.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Denver Museum of Nature & Science