In 1994, a 15-acre downtown site -- filled with thousands of used tires, junk car parts, and dead batteries -- was set to become the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens.
The tropical greenhouse opened on November 8, 1997, now featuring more than 600 orchids and other tropical plants from around the world, as well as native butterflies.
A variety of outdoor gardens have been developed and/or planned, including a Cactus and Succulent Garden, Children's Secret Garden, Harmony In Color Garden, International Garden, Native Garden, Seasonal Xeric Garden, and Sensory Garden.
The Native Garden is a miniature replica of Colorado's Grand Valley, including the Grand Mesa, the Colorado National Monument and Mount Garfield, with plantings related to the 13 geological zones of Western Colorado.