Social Networking and Online Communications Policy

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo understands some employees and volunteers publish personal websites, social media pages and/or blogs. The Zoo respects the right of employees to use them as a medium of self-expression, so long as they do not jeopardize or disclose non-public Zoo matters.

All social media postings on behalf of the Zoo must be preapproved and sent by authorized employees. Personal postings by an employee concerning the Zoo are not prohibited provided they comply with guidelines set forth below.

Please respect these guidelines when using personal social media sites and blogs:

When you use social media, use good judgment. The Zoo requests that you be respectful of the Zoo, our employees, docents and volunteers, board members, guests, customers, partners, vendors, affiliates and others. Avoid using statements, photographs, video or audio that reasonably could be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening or intimidating, that disparages our employees, customers, partners and affiliates, or that might constitute harassment or bullying. Examples of such conduct might include offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone’s reputation or posts that could contribute to a hostile work environment.

You must comply with all applicable laws including copyright and fair use laws. Whether you identify yourself on a site as a Zoo employee or not, you may not discuss or disclose any sensitive, proprietary, confidential, or financial information about the Zoo, its employees, docents and volunteers, board members, guests, customers, partners, vendors, affiliates and others. Confidential information includes trade secrets or anything related to the Zoo’s inventions, strategy, financials or products that have not been made public, internal reports, procedures or other internal Organization-related confidential communications. This includes, but is not limited to, information on animal health or crisis situations, sponsorships and donations, visitor interactions and scientific studies. See also the “Confidential Information” section of the CMZ Employee Handbook.

Publication of photographs and video taken at the Zoo with your personal camera may be posted at your discretion. These photo(s)/video(s) may not contain content associated with veterinary procedures or other non-public sensitive animal welfare/staff/organization issues. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo reserves the right to ask you to remove any photograph(s) or video(s) from your site.

For any animal page directly or indirectly representing Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, we ask staff, docents and volunteers to refrain from creating pages and sites for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo animals (i.e. Abuto’s Facebook page). Your thoughts and ideas are welcome and if there is a particular animal you would like to see highlighted by the Zoo, you are encouraged to submit the idea to the Public Relations and Social Media Manager.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo staff, volunteers, and docents should refrain from responding to follower questions or comments directed to the Zoo’s official accounts and platforms. Those with expertise in the subject matter can reach out to the Public Relations and Social Media Manager to advise on the Zoo on an appropriate response or make them aware of the comment/question, but should not reply personally.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo staff, volunteers, and docents are not allowed to participate in public-facing contests (for example, #WhatAnimalWednesday or 3rd party Zoo ticket giveaway(s).

Please be aware postings may generate media coverage. If members of the media contact you for interview requests or information of any kind, contact the Zoo’s Public Relations and Social Media Manager prior to speaking with them. The Zoo strives to anticipate and manage crisis situations in order to reduce disruption to our employees and to maintain our reputation as a high quality organization. To best serve these objectives, the Organization will respond to the media in a timely and professional manner only through the designated spokespersons.

A blog, wiki, chat room or social networking site is not the ideal place to make a complaint regarding alleged discrimination, unlawful harassment or a safety issue. Complaints to the Zoo regarding these issues must be made consistent with the Zoo’s complaint processes so the Zoo can address them. See EEO/Harassment Complaint Procedure or Safety sections of volunteer/employee Handbook.

Active platforms and monitored online communications include, but are not limited to:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TripAdvisor
• Google Business
• Yelp
• cmzoo.org e-mails & webite submissions

Additionally, use of the Internet, personal social media sites, etc., must not disrupt the operation of the Zoo’s network or the networks of other users.

Full time employees of the Zoo are responsible for communicating the Zoo’s social media policies to all individuals who report directly to them who are not employed by the Zoo, including Jr. Zookeepers, Zoo Crew, interns, docents and volunteers. Nothing in this guideline is meant to interfere with employees’ right under federal law to engage in protected and concerted activity.

This policy does not take into account every possible scenario and may not be all-inclusive. The Zoo reserves the right to address each situation on a case-by-case basis and determine appropriate action. Questions regarding this policy or any matter related to your site that this policy does not address should be directed to your supervisor, the marketing department, or human resources office as appropriate. Failure to follow this policy may result in corrective action up to and including termination. This policy is subject to change without prior notice.

I understand the Zoo’s Social Networking and Online Communications Policy as it outlines my responsibilities.

Release and Waiver of Claims

We, the undersigned participant and parent or guardian, understand that the staff of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (the “Zoo”) will perform to the best of their abilities and will endeavor to provide for the safety of all guests; and I hereby covenant and agree as follows:

GENERAL RELEASE. – The undersigned hereby releases and waives any claims that the undersigned may now or hereafter have against the Zoo, its sponsors, trustees, officers, employees or its assigns from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, costs or expenses of whatever kind or nature, including attorney’s fees, which the undersigned may incur as a result of any injury to us or our personal property as a result of the participant’s activities undertaken at the Zoo including, without limitation, personal injury or illness and damages thereof including loss of income, earnings, bodily injury, pain and suffering, emotional or mental distress and any and all medical expenses;

ASSUMPTION OF RISK. – The undersigned acknowledges and understands that the Zoo activities undertaken by the participant may involve a certain degree of risk of personal injury and injury to personal property which may result from the participant’s participation therein. Such injuries may be caused by other participant, road and other conditions caused by weather, including uneven or damaged terrain, the presence of moisture or mud, obstacles and obstructions upon or under the terrain and other natural or man-made conditions which may be hazardous to the participant or create hazards to the participant’s activities. The undersigned further acknowledges and assumes all risk of injury and/or damage to the participant, which may result from any reason whatsoever thereby;

EMERGENCY. – In the event of an emergency, if I, the undersigned parent or guardian, cannot be reached, I give permission to the Zoo’s supervisory staff to obtain whatever medical attention is necessary for the participant’s well being;

BINDING EFFECT. – The foregoing provisions shall be fully binding upon and shall be effective against the undersigned, its heirs, successors, legal representatives or assigns and shall apply to the actions of the undersigned personally, the undersigned’s family, guests, employees or agents. By signing below, I acknowledge that I understand and accept these requirements and provisions.

As a participant, I will endeavor to perform activities safely and follow the directions given to me by Zoo staff.

Education Adventure General Release
I understand that while the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and the Department of Education within it strives to provide a safe and fun experience, participating in outdoor activities can be dangerous and there is continuous inherent risk that goes along with every adventure. Such activities pose a risk of emotional or physical injury, including the possibility of serious bodily injury or death. I understand this relates to activities both on Zoo grounds and off Zoo grounds. I also understand that damage to property may occur incidental to my participation in this activity.

In consideration for receiving permission to participate in any Cheyenne Mountain Zoo education program on or off Zoo grounds. I hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, its owners, officers, agents, or employees (hereinafter referred to as RELEASEES) from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me, or any of the property belonging to me, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES, or otherwise, while participating in such activity, or while in, on or upon the premises where the activity is being conducted.

I am fully aware of the unusual risks involved and the hazards connected with this activity. I hereby elect to voluntarily participate in said activity with full knowledge that said activity may be hazardous to me and my property. I VOLUNTARILY ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY RISKS OF LOSS, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, that may be sustained by me, or any loss or damage of property owned by me, as a result of being engaged in such activity, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF RELEASEES or otherwise.

I further hereby AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS the RELEASEES from any loss, liability, damage or costs, including court costs and attorney fees, that they may incur due to my participation in said activity, WHETHER CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE OF RELEASEES or otherwise.

I understand RELEASEES do not maintain any insurance policy covering any circumstance arising from participation in this event or any activity associated with or facilitating that participation. As such, I am aware that I should review my personal insurance coverage.

It is my express intent that this Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement shall bind the members of my family, if I am alive, and my heirs, assigns and personal representative, if I am deceased, and shall be deemed as a RELEASE, WAIVER, DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the above-named RELEASEES. I hereby further agree that this Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado.

I have carefully read and agree with the following statements
I understand that there are risks associated with outdoor activities, which include, but are not limited to: severe sunburn, dehydration, heat stroke, hypothermia, frost bite, lightning strike, animal attack, drowning, and injuries caused by terrain, facilities, equipment, my own actions or those of other people. I voluntarily accept these risks along with any and all similar risks.
I understand that any outdoor adventure on or off Zoo grounds poses special risks, which include, but are not limited to: falling from great heights, falling objects, intense physical exertion, and uneven and unstable surfaces. I voluntarily accept these risks along with any and all similar risks.
I understand that the proper use and wear of safety equipment can greatly reduce the risk of injury. I agree to wear and/or use appropriate safety equipment as directed by law or Cheyenne Mountain Zoo staff.
I understand that this activity may be physically strenuous and requires a certain level of physical fitness. I am in good physical condition, can meet the rigors of this event, and have not been advised otherwise by a physician. I assume the risks of any medical conditions I may have.
I hereby consent to receive all first aid and/or medical treatment which may be reasonably deemed necessary as a result of accident, injury, and/or illness.
I certify that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damage I may cause or suffer while participating in this event, or agree to bear such costs myself.

By signing this document, I agree that I understand the potential risks associated with this activity and voluntarily accept them. I also acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my participation in this activity, or travel to or from it, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my rights to maintain a lawsuit against the RELEASEES on the basis of any claim from which I have released them herein. I have had sufficient opportunity to read this entire document. I have read and understood it, and I agree to be bound by its terms. No oral representations, statements or inducements apart from the foregoing written agreement have been made.

Program Handbook Agreement

Zoo Crew, Junior Zoo Keeper, or Teen Leader

I, the undersigned, have read, understand and agree to follow the guidelines for the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Teen Program. I understand that my role in the Teen Program is one of educational opportunities, and that I will be relied upon to fulfill the program guidelines for the Program.

Failure to follow these guidelines and expectations could result in suspension/expulsion from the Teen Program without refund of fees.

I understand this policy and promise to do my best to meet these guidelines and expectations while I am enrolled in the Teen Program at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Photograph/Video Release of Images and Video

I hereby consent to and authorize the use and reproduction by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, or anyone authorized by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, of any and all photographs/videos that have been taken or will be taken of me and /or my child(ren) during their participation in Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s education programs for any purpose, without compensation to me. All negatives and positives, together with the prints, are owned by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo reserves the right to use these photographs and videos in any of its print or electronic publications and/or in any advertising materials or other advertising and promotional purposes.

I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understood the terms of this release.