National Wildlife Property Repository

Tucked inside the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge sits a 16,000-square-foot federal warehouse stacked floor to ceiling with the spoils of the global wildlife trade: pangolin scales, carved ivory, sea-turtle-shell guitars, python-skin boots, mounted tiger heads. It's the largest repository of seized trafficking goods on Earth, run by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and most Denverites have no idea it's a 20-minute drive away. When tours run, a ranger walks you through aisles of contraband that look like a customs seizure crossed with a natural-history nightmare.

The move: When public access is open, book the first-Friday tour, then make a half-day of it by pairing it with a slow drive through the Rocky Mountain Arsenal refuge to spot bison and the resident prairie dogs.

📍 Commerce City
💸 Free
⚡ Low-key
🌗 Indoors

Where: 6550 Gateway Rd, Building 128, Commerce City, CO 80022 (inside Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge); by appointment only, [email protected] / 303-287-2110

Hours: By appointment only; historically free public tours on the first Friday of each month. NOTE: as of mid-2026 FWS lists tours and education programs as 'unavailable until further notice' pending staff availability. Email/call ahead to confirm before planning a visit.

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Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3

Verified 2026-06-07.