Colorado Opens Nation's First Nature Library in Thornton

Imagine checking out a tent and telescope from your local library the same way you'd borrow a novel. That's exactly what's happening at the Anythink Nature Library, which opened this August in Thornton, Colorado, just north of Denver.

The first nature library in the United States isn't just about books. Visitors can grab bird-watching kits, snowshoes, waterproof tents, wildlife cameras, and gardening equipment completely free. The library also features an on-site mud pit, walking trails, a community garden, and a darkroom with stars projected on the ceiling.

"Before we even had a design for the building, we knew we wanted an experience of muddy, dirty play," branch manager Maria Mayo-Peaseley told Colorado Public Radio. "Our relationships with nature have gotten really tidy, especially for children."

About 5,000 people showed up for the grand opening of the 33,000 square foot facility, which sits on 140 acres of open space. The nearly $44 million project runs entirely on 300 rooftop solar panels and includes electric vehicle chargers, bird-safe glass walls, and a cozy fireplace next to heated benches.

The library offers 550 items across 65 collections at launch. Officials designed it with input from community members, Indigenous leaders, and Native American advisors, ensuring the space welcomes everyone.

The Ripple Effect

Adams County is a minority majority community where more than 40% of residents identify as Latine. The library removes cost barriers that keep families from enjoying outdoor activities like skiing or camping that often require expensive gear and passes.

"This library is all about building access points for our community no matter who they are, their experience in nature, no matter their background," Mayo-Peaseley explained. "We know that not everyone comes to a relationship with nature from the same place."

The concept follows The Environmental Kinship Guide, a curriculum teaching that everything in nature is connected and humans are cohabiters, not just visitors. The library translates this philosophy into hands-on experiences that help people discover their place in the natural world.

Executive director Mark Fink hopes the library changes how people think about outdoor adventure. "People think that nature in Colorado means going to the mountains," he told Westword, "but we want to show that you can have a really amazing outdoor experience in your backyard."

Public libraries have always evolved with their communities, and this one proves nature belongs to everyone.