Visitation policies at all Museums of Western Colorado sites are designed to protect visitors and staff as well as secure and preserve the collections, facilities, and historic buildings entrusted to the MWC’s care.

While on Museums of Western Colorado premises NO VISITOR SHALL:

• Carry firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives, either openly or concealed on the premises. The prohibition on firearms applies to all visitors, including those with firearm permits.
• Display or carry placards, signs, or banners
• Destroy, damage, or remove property
• Climb upon any part of a building
• Use loud, abusive, or otherwise improper language
• Loiter, sleep, or participate in unwarranted assemblies
• Create any hazard to persons or things
• Perform obscene or indecent acts
• Engage in disorderly conduct
• Use, possess, or sell illegal drugs
• Smoke, this includes e-cigarettes
• Bring dogs or other animals, other than service animals
• Take photographs for advertising or any other commercial purpose
• Solicit for commercial or charitable purposes or distribute advertisements, pamphlets, handbills, and flyers
• Damage, deface, pick, or remove any herb, shrub, bush, tree, or turf, or portion thereof, in any museum property, including Cross Orchards Historic Site

In addition to the above, while on Museum premises, NO VISITOR SHALL:

• Kill, injure, or disturb any exhibit by any means except to secure personal safety
• Pet, attempt to pet, handle, move, or remove exhibit
• Catch, attempt to catch, trap, remove, or kill any free roaming animals inhabiting the premises
• Go over, under, between, or otherwise cross any guardrail, fence, moat, wall, or any other safety barrier
• Seat, stand, or hold children over any safety barrier
• Throw or toss rocks, or any other missiles into, from, or while on premises
• Engage in ball games, or any athletic activity, except in places as may be officially designated for such purposes
• Smoke or carry lighted cigarettes, cigars, or pipes into exhibit buildings, or to have a fire of any kind on the premises

Visitors who violate these rules may be subject to fine or imprisonment.

To help us protect our exhibits and collections, food and beverages are not permitted in exhibit halls, galleries, or indoor museum spaces.

Guests are welcome to enjoy food and drinks in designated areas, including the Sterling T. Smith Observation Tower at the Museum of the West and the outdoor lawn and picnic areas at Cross Orchards Historic Site.

We appreciate your help in preserving these spaces for all visitors to enjoy.

Yes! The Museum of the West offers free admission on the first Friday of every month from 10 AM – 4 PM as part of our Free First Friday program.

Admission is also always free for Museums of Western Colorado members, with benefits that include unlimited visits to all three sites.

We also participate in the Museums for All and Blue Star Museums programs, which provide free or reduced admission for eligible visitors.

Additionally, museum passes are available for checkout through Mesa County Libraries with a valid library card, offering another way to visit at no cost.

The Museums of Western Colorado permits still and video photography for noncommercial use only in its museums and exhibitions, unless otherwise posted.

For the safety of our visitors and collections, the Museums of Western Colorado prohibits the use of tripods, monopods, selfie sticks or similar devices in our museums and gardens. This is a preventive measure to protect visitors and objects, especially during crowded conditions. We encourage museum visitors to take selfies and share their experiences—and leave the selfie sticks in their bags.

Working members of the media who need to use a tripod or monopod must obtain permission from the museum’s Development & Communications Office and must be escorted by a museum staff member while in the building or gardens.