CATALYST

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is embarking on one of the most ambitious renovations of a permanent exhibition in its history – an extraordinary effort to expand and reimagine its classic Gems and Minerals Hall. Thanks in large part to a generous, transformational gift from longtime Museum supporters Cathy and Peter Dea, the existing Coors Gems and Minerals Hall is expanding by 50 percent and will be unveiled as the Dea Family Gems and Mineral Hall.  

The Dea Family Gems and Minerals Hall will offer a brand-new, awe-inspiring experience that aims to stimulate curiosity and — guided by the overarching theme “My World is Made of Minerals” — will change the way guests understand and appreciate the minerals that play a critical role in our daily lives.   

Inspired by our community's desire to be transported underground and experience minerals in their natural forms, the $30 million renovation will transform our guests’ Gems and Mineral Hall experience with cutting-edge technology, immersive environments and a renewed focus on the extraordinary world of minerals from Colorado and across the world. 

Q&A about the Dea Family Gems & Mineral Hall

Q: Why are we reimagining Gems and Minerals? 

A: We are renovating the Gems and Minerals exhibition to reflect the vital role minerals play in our everyday lives — they support our health, build our world and make life as we know it possible. The reimagined space will feature dynamic, immersive environments and interactive exhibits that activate the senses through cutting-edge technology and design. Rooted in Colorado’s unique geology, the exhibition will celebrate the Rocky Mountains’ stunning and diverse mineral treasures that continue to shape our identity. As demand for minerals grows, the exhibition also highlights the importance of mining and the tradeoffs that come with it. Through this awe-inspiring, underground journey, we aim to spark curiosity and foster a deeper connection between our community and the natural world. 

Q: What is the name of the new exhibition? 

A: The new exhibition will be called the Dea Family Gems and Minerals Hall, named in honor of the generous, transformational gift from Cathy and Peter Dea. Their support is making the renovation and expansion of the hall possible, creating an immersive and interactive experience that will inspire visitors to explore the beauty, applications and science of minerals. 

Q: Who are Cathy and Peter Dea? 

A: Cathy and Peter Dea are longtime supporters of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Peter is a geologist with a deep passion for earth sciences, while Cathy is a filmmaker whose work has been featured at the Museum’s giant-screen theater. Their decades-long relationship with the Museum includes board service, artistic contributions and philanthropic support. The Deas have been engaged with the Museum for decades. Peter served on the board, originally joining at the invitation of then-Gov. John Hickenlooper. Cathy directed two films that premiered at the Museum, and their family commissioned the “Snowmastodon” sculpture following the discovery of Ice Age fossils in Snowmass, Colorado. 

Q: How much will the new exhibition cost? 

A: The renovation and expansion of the Gems & Minerals Hall is a $30 million project, made possible by a transformational gift from Cathy and Peter Dea, as well as the generous contributions of other supporters and donors. The Dea family’s lead gift has played a critical role in bringing this vision to life, and ongoing fundraising efforts are underway to ensure the successful completion of this exciting new Museum experience. 

Q: What is the project timeline? 

A: The new Gems and Minerals project concept design started in 2023, and final exhibit design intent and specimen casework design concluded in February 2025. Base building construction documents, content development, media design development and exhibit fabricator selection phases are set to occur in 2025. In 2026, the existing Gems and Minerals Hall will close for deinstallation, renovations and expansion and the Dea Family Gems and Minerals Hall is planning to open in 2027. 

Q: Will the Museum remain open during the closure and construction? 

A: Yes! The Museum will remain open. The impacted areas will mostly be contained to the existing Gems & Minerals Hall and a few surrounding areas to minimize disruption to guest experiences in other exhibits. 

Q: How will this renovation benefit the community? 

A: The renovation of the Gems and Minerals exhibit will provide an engaging and educational space for the community, offering hands-on experiences and immersive underground environments that bring Colorado’s rich mineral stories to life. By showcasing the Museum’s world-class mineral collection, the exhibit will inspire curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of how minerals shape our daily lives — from the food we eat to the technology we rely on. This revitalized space will serve as a dynamic learning hub, sparking interest and appreciation in science and Colorado’s unique geology for visitors of all ages. 

Q: What is changing and what is staying the same? 

A: The beloved Crystal Grotto and Sweet Home Mine will remain as part of the reimagined Dea Family Gems and Minerals Hall. The rest of the space, however, will be completely transformed with all-new immersive environments, interactive experiences and dynamic displays that bring Colorado’s rich mineral stories to life in fresh and exciting ways. Additionally, while some specimens from the current exhibit will be removed, new and exciting specimens will be added to showcase a broader and more diverse collection of minerals, highlighting their significance in both nature and our daily lives. 

Q: What will be featured in the new exhibition? 

A: The Dea Family Gems & Minerals Hall will include: 

• Underground Adventure: Pause to allow your eyes to adjust to the dim light and step into realistic cave environments. These exhibitions are inspired by the speleothem caves located throughout Colorado and the Cave of Crystals in Naica, Mexico, and include stunning formations and larger-than-life crystals that create the sensation of exploring rarely accessible natural wonders. Interactive experiences encourage guests to experiment with factors like depth, temperature, water and pressure to discover how minerals form. From there, you’ll be able to match mineral creations up with real specimens on display from the Museum’s collections. 

• Mine Experiences: Explore Colorado’s Sweet Home Mine and examine a stunning, six-foot wall of rhodochrosite crystals. Traverse into a modern mine for a first-person look at the life of an industrial mineral miner thousands of feet underground. Take the helm of the control station to explore mining activities like blasting, conveying and grinding of extracted ore. 

• Constellation of Minerals: Marvel at a spectacular interactive display of over 450 minerals that illuminate to show their interconnected presence in the human body, transportation and the technology we use every day.  

• Hero Specimens: For an epic treasure hunt, keep your eyes peeled throughout all areas of the gallery for showstoppers like Diane’s Pocket, the Alma King and other favorites — plus one-of-a-kind treasures that have never been on public display! 

• Mineral Mart: Take a playful approach to discovery by opening drawers, lifting flaps and spinning displays in a convenience store to reveal hidden minerals used in common products like school supplies, personal care items, electronics and housewares. 

• Rockies Are Mineral Rich: Step up to an interactive map of the Rocky Mountain region that responds to your selections, revealing how mineral deposits shaped the development of towns, cities and infrastructure across our state. 

• Color Room Experience: Another stunning array of the Museum’s collections, witness over 250 fluorescing minerals transform under changing ultraviolet light conditions to reveal their surprising and beautiful glowing properties. 

• Story Stations: Listen to first-person accounts from miners, scientists and environmental experts, offering diverse perspectives on the mineral world. 

• Gem Journey: Follow the fascinating transformation from raw mineral to finished gemstone, interact with equipment and learn about what makes a jewelry-quality gem. Absorb the beauty of the Museum’s largest faceted mineral — the Dali Topaz, a 10,588-carat gemstone — in this section. 

With a mix of immersive environments, hands-on activities and breathtaking specimens, the Dea Family Gems & Minerals Hall will inspire curiosity and deepen visitors’ appreciation for the minerals that shape our world. 

Want to learn more or find out how you can get involved with the project? To learn more about who is supporting this transformational project and opportunities for how you can get involved, please visit our Gems & Minerals Hall Update page on our website.