A Labor Of Love & Colorado Roadside Attraction
Swetsville Zoo
The Swetsville Zoo was far from a typical zoo! Instead of live animals, this zoo was lined with roughly 180 steel sculptures created by welder and folk artist Bill Swets.
The Swetsville Zoo property is located across the street from Costco in Ft. Collins. It’s easy to find at the busy intersection of Harmony and I-25. The structures and scupltures are still there, but if you want to see them, you had better hurry! The highly desireable property is currently under contract and Bill’s life’s work may soon be removed.
While looking over the photos in the Gallery below, I think you will be almost guaranteed to smile—if not outright chuckle—at Bill Swets’ mystical and magical creations!
After moving to Colorado last July, Darla and I made numerous trips to Costco for “essentials” at our new home in Loveland. Each time we went there, I looked towards the mysterious corner property, wondering what the heck was going on? From the intersection, I could see castle-like decorative buildings. At first, I thought it might have been remains of an old miniature golf course? Finally, I walked to the corner to get a better look. I took a photo of the building signed with cut out lettering. It read simpluy, “SWETS”. When I returned home that evening, I did an Internet search to reveal a gold mine of information and history about the unique zoo. You can read a lot more about the Swetsville Zoo by clicking the links below:
The Coloradoan: “Founder of Colorado’s Swetsville Zoo says goodbye to Timnath”
Roadside America: Swetsvill Zoo (closed)
CBS News: “Colorado gem, Swetsville Zoo, prepares to close up shop”
I have no idea what was available inside the numerous buildings, but the outdoor sculptures I could see seem to be divided into three categories: Animals, Space Age, & Wind Driven Sculptures. ”Clever & creative”…that’s what is going through my mind as I study them!
About my photos: The photos on this page were all taken “legally”, meaning I took them from the street and outside the fences. I would absolutely love to get permission to walk the grounds and take photos from better angles. Similarly, I would like to go back numerous times to capture each sculpture in the best of light and conditions. All of the photos were taken with a Sony A1 camera and either a Sony 200-600mm lens or a Tamron 35-150mm lens.
If you are in the Ft. Collins area, I think you would enjoy seeing this slice of Americana before it is only a memory. It will soon to be replaced by a new subdivision and retail stores!
