Our Story
History
Douglas County School District purchased the former Wildlife Experience in December of 2021, and construction plans were quickly underway in order to transform the museum into a state-of-the-art Career and Technical Education campus. The facility provides approximately 175,000 gross square feet for academic programming, staff offices, conference space, etc. In addition to a vast array of advanced academic programming, the space allows for potential usage for community events, such as DCSD Board of Education meetings, professional development, art shows, homecoming and proms, and more.
Building the Future at Legacy Campus
Passed in November 2024, Bond Initiative 5A is an investment in school safety and security upgrades; Career and Technical Education opportunities for students; and updating, maintaining, equipping, replacing, and constructing educational facilities consistent with the district bond plan to provide safe and adequate learning spaces for students and staff, and to reduce overcrowding throughout the district.
The 2024 Bond provided funds to expand the physical footprint of the Legacy Campus. This allowed Legacy Campus, which serves high school students from across Douglas County, to expand career and technical education opportunities by adding six new career pathways, including advanced manufacturing, EV/hybrid auto maintenance and repair, and construction pathways: carpentry, electrical, plumbing and HVAC. When all is built out, 13 career pathways will be designed to help students build skills, knowledge and confidence for life after graduation.
A groundbreaking event for the beginning of construction took place on November 13, 2025. Check out the video from that event, and look for information in 2026 about a ribbon-cutting event when the additional construction is completed!
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Legacy Campus Timeline
2002
The facility was originally built by RE/MAX founders Dave and Gail Liniger as The Wildlife Experience, a museum and event center focused on wildlife art, natural history and conservation.
2007
The facility expanded with renovations, including the addition of a café and the Globology exhibit.
2014
Dave and Gail Liniger donated The Wildlife Experience to the University of Colorado.
2018
Douglas County voters approved a bond supporting the construction of a Career and Technical Education (CTE) facility.
2021
In December, Douglas County School District’s (DCSD) Board of Education approved the purchase of the former Wildlife Experience building.
2023
Legacy Campus officially opened to DCSD students and the community.
2024
Douglas County voters approved a bond to fund a Phase II expansion.
2026
Legacy Campus’ Phase II opens, adding 20,000 square feet of new space for expanded career pathways for Career and Technical Education.
Campus Improvements and Phase II Expansion
Thanks to Douglas County voters’ passage of Bond Initiative 5A in November 2024, Legacy Campus will add new career pathways for the 2026-27 school year with its Phase II expansion. The current building will receive numerous needed upgrades to ensure the entire facility remains a top-quality, state-of-the-art community asset for this and future generations. This work ensures Legacy Campus remains not only on target but ahead of the Colorado Legislature’s priorities outlined in 2025’s Senate Bill 25-315, which provides direction for the “Big Three” priorities of high school education: College credit, work-based learning, and industry certification.
Legacy Campus’ improvements, continuing through Summer 2026, will include: Construction on the 35,000 square-foot Phase II of Legacy Campus, and preparations are in full swing for the addition of career pathways in:
- Automotive Technology (EV/Hybrid)
- Electrical Technology
- Construction Trades
- Advanced Manufacturing – Aerospace
Other facility improvements include:
- Changeover Systems
- Hot Water Service
- Paving and Surfacing Parking Lot
- Roof Finishes
- Boilers
- Replace Chilled Water Systems Chillers
- Replace Chilled Water Systems Cooling Towers
Phase II Concept Renderings
