Policies and Permissions

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The Denver Museum of Nature & Science (the Museum) is committed to protecting your privacy when you visit our website, shop at the Museum Online Store, or use the website to purchase a Museum membership or make an online donation. The Museum does not collect personal information about individuals, such as names and mailing or e-mail addresses, unless the individual visiting the Museum Website or Online Store (collectively referred to as the "Museum Website") knowingly provides it. By using the Museum Website, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Museum Privacy Policy. The Museum Privacy Policy is outlined below.

Museum policy on collecting information on the Museum Website and Digital Membership Card

Online Purchases

When you order a product from the Museum Online Store, we need to know your name, billing and shipping addresses, telephone number, e-mail address, and credit card information to process your order. Your credit card information will be used only as needed to process your transaction.

Online Memberships and Donations

When you purchase a Museum membership or make a donation to the Museum online, we will ask you to provide us with the information we need to process your membership, acknowledge your contribution, and provide your membership and admission benefits. This information includes your name and names of other members on your account, billing and/or shipping addresses, telephone number, e-mail address, and credit card information. Your credit card information will be used only as needed to process your transaction.

SMS/Email Transactional Usage

You may opt to receive SMS-delivered one-time password (OTP) codes to ensure secure access to our eCard app. This additional layer of protection guarantees that only you can access your account. Your security remains our utmost priority, and we are dedicated to providing you with the best possible experience.

In our continuous efforts towards progress, we offer you the convenience of viewing and receiving receipts and tickets through SMS/text messaging. This option not only enhances your experience but is also environmentally friendly.

By selecting the option to receive your one-time password (OTP) via SMS, you hereby consent to receiving text messages from us for the purpose of delivering these OTP codes. This agreement encompasses communication related to security, authentication, and any other essential notifications associated with your account. Standard message and data rates may apply. You retain the right to opt out of receiving these text messages at any time by texting 'STOP' to the text sent, or by contacting our customer support. Your choice to receive OTPs via SMS constitutes your acknowledgment and acceptance of these terms.
Please note that opting out may cause a disruption and prevent receiving your OTP option via SMS.

Museum Email Receipts and One-Time Passwords (OTP)

For your online transactions, we will be sending receipts via email. This shift aims to provide you with a more convenient and environmentally friendly method of tracking your purchases and transactions with us.

You may opt to receive email-delivered one-time password (OTP) codes to ensure secure access to our eCard app. This additional layer of protection guarantees that only you can access your account. Your security remains our utmost priority, and we are dedicated to providing you with the finest possible experience.

Online Surveys

From time to time, the Museum may invite you to participate in surveys posted on the Museum Website or sent to you by e-mail. You may decide whether or not you wish to complete such surveys, which may ask about your background, occupation, or similar questions. We use this information to help us better understand our audience, which in turn allows us to better meet your needs and interests.

Online Contests

The Museum will occasionally offer visitors the opportunity to participate in online contests or sweepstakes. If you choose to enter, you will need to provide your name and e-mail address so that we may contact you in connection with the contest. We may also request that you provide us with certain other information, such as your zip code, state of residence and grade in school (provided that you are at least thirteen years of age).

Children Twelve and Under

The Museum does not solicit personal information from children. Visitors twelve years of age and under should remember that they are required to obtain an adult's permission before submitting any personal information to this or any other website.

Museum E-Newsletters

As a service, the Museum offers visitors to the Museum Website the opportunity to subscribe to one or more of our online newsletters, a service hosted by a contractor that has agreed to use the e-mail address you provide only to send e-news to you. If you choose to subscribe, you will receive the Museum E-News on the topics you choose. You may subscribe or unsubscribe at any time by following the E-News instructions.

Cookies

Cookies are small files of information that are stored on your computer's hard drive by your Web browser. The cookies we use do not contain any personal information. Most Web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can change the preferences of your browser so that it does not accept them. In order to use all the features of the Museum Online Store, we recommend that you accept cookies.

The Museum policy on the use and disclosure of the information it collects on the Museum Website and Digital Membership Card

The Museum uses the personal information you provide to us for internal purposes, such as filling and tracking your order, analyzing trends and collecting statistics. The Museum may also compile and provide aggregate statistics about our visitors, customers, sales, traffic patterns and related site information to third parties, but these statistics will not include any personally identifying information.

We do not sell our purchaser, visitor, member or donor information. As is the common practice for nonprofits to attract new members, we may exchange the names and postal addresses we receive from members with other similar nonprofit organizations. If you do not want to have your information used in this way, you may send an e-mail message containing your name and postal address to [email protected].

If you have provided us with your e-mail or postal mailing address, we may send you communications in order to inform you of events or activities at or related to the Museum that we believe may be of interest to you, or to alert you about sales or other promotional events at the Museum. If you do not want us to use your e-mail address to contact you for these purposes, you may send an e-mail message containing your name and postal address to [email protected], or simply opt out of the e-mail communication that you receive.

We may combine information you give to us online, in our stores or at the Museum or through our catalogs. We may also combine this information with publicly available information and information we received from or have cross-referenced with our third-party vendors and others. We use this combined information to enhance and personalize your shopping experience with us, to communicate with you about products or events that may be of interest to you, or for other promotional purposes.

HotJar

We use Hotjar in order to better understand our users’ needs and to optimize this service and experience. Hotjar is a technology service that helps us better understand our users’ experience (e.g. how much time they spend on which pages, which links they choose to click, what users do and don’t like, etc.) and this enables us to build and maintain our service with user feedback. Hotjar uses cookies and other technologies to collect data on our users’ behavior and their devices. This includes a device's IP address (processed during your session and stored in a de-identified form), device screen size, device type (unique device identifiers), browser information, geographic location (country only), and the preferred language used to display our website. Hotjar stores this information on our behalf in a pseudonymized user profile. Hotjar is contractually forbidden to sell any of the data collected on our behalf.

For further details, please see the ‘about Hotjar’ section of Hotjar’s support site.

Linking

The Museum Website may include links to websites operated by third parties over which we have no control. Once you leave the Museum Website, the Museum Privacy Policy will not apply, and you access such sites at your own risk.

Security

The Museum secure server software uses industry-standard Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption technology. SSL encodes your personal information, including credit card number, name, and address, as it travels over the Internet so that all transactions are secure. If you prefer, you may also place a Museum Store order by phone at 303.370.6000, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM (Mountain Time) Monday-Friday. For membership gifts, please call 303.370.6306 or e-mail [email protected] and for donations, please call 303.370.6450.

Your Data Privacy Rights and Our Practices

As per the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), you as our customer have several rights regarding your personal data and we adhere to the following practices: 

1. Right to Access: You have the right to access the personal data that we have collected about you. To exercise this right, you can submit a verifiable consumer request by calling 303.370.6000. 
2. Right to Correction: If you believe that any personal data we hold about you is incorrect or incomplete, you have the right to request a correction. To do so, please contact us by calling 303.370.6000. 
3. Right to Deletion: You have the right to request deletion of your personal data, subject to certain exceptions. We commit to honor such requests, and in the case of a deletion request, we may anonymize the data to maintain the integrity of our records while protecting your privacy. To exercise this right, you can submit a verifiable consumer request by calling 303.370.6000. 

We also commit to the following data usage practices: 

• Opt-Out Practices: We respect your right to opt out of data processing activities. This includes opting out of the processing of your personal data for purposes of targeted advertising, sale, or profiling.   
• Direct Mail Marketing: We may use your personal data, including your postal address, for direct mail marketing purposes. You can opt out of this at any time by contacting us.  
• Social Media Marketing: We may share your personal data, including your email address, with social media platforms for the purpose of targeted advertising or "Custom Audiences". If you prefer that we do not use your data for this purpose, you can opt out at any time. 
• Data Security: We prioritize your data security. We use various security measures to protect your personal data, including secure servers, firewalls, and encryption of data. Our security measures are routinely updated in accordance with the latest technological developments. 
• Universal Opt-Out: We understand and respect your right to privacy and data control. As part of our commitment to honoring this, we provide a universal opt-out option for all individuals. If you wish to exercise this right and opt out of any and all data collection, usage, or sharing, you can do so easily by clicking here or calling 303 370 6000. Upon receiving your request, we will promptly process your universal opt-out request, ensuring that your personal data is no longer used outside of essential business and legal requirements. Please note that following a universal opt-out, certain services or communications may be limited or unavailable to you. 

We will respond to all verifiable requests within 45 days as required by the CPA.  

Please be aware that we may need to retain certain information for recordkeeping purposes, to complete any transactions that you began prior to your request, or for other purposes as required or permitted by law. We may still use anonymized or de-identified information that does not identify you individually for research, marketing, analytics, or other purposes.  

Remember that you can always update your privacy settings and information by contacting us at [email protected]. 

Revisions to our Privacy Policy

Please note that the Museum may revise its privacy policy at any time, without notice, such changes to be effective immediately upon posting on the Museum Website. Such revisions may arise in response to changes in the law, policy, or other factors. We encourage you to periodically visit this page to review our most current policy.

Contact the Museum

Send your questions, comments, or concerns about our privacy policy or any other aspect of our website to [email protected].

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The Denver Museum of Nature & Science exists to be a catalyst and ignite our community’s passion for nature and science. In order to fulfill our mission and live out our values, we strive to provide a safe place for everyone to follow their curiosity and desire for discovery, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, and range of abilities. We foster a culture of inclusion that celebrates diversity of thought, promotes mutual respect, and advances authentic intercultural exploration and collaboration.

The Museum reserves the right to refuse service to, or revoke access to anyone we determine is threatening this safe, inclusive environment. We comply with Colorado laws and work closely with our cultural peers, community partners, law enforcement, and security experts to enact best practice safety and security measures.

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Science - we dig it - and we're guessing that since you're here, you do too.  We're also guessing that you've got lots of questions. Things like, why do crystal jellyfish glow green, did dinosaurs really have feathers, and will pond scum become the new oil?

It's questions like these that caused us to create the Denver Museum of Nature & Science social media networks and blog. We'd like to start a conversation with you - a conversation about science that's easy and available to anyone who's ever asked the question, "Why?"

It's a conversation that's already begun in some cases - visitors talking with docents, students talking with teachers, or people just talking with one another while walking around in the exhibit halls.  Our goal is to extend those chats onto the Web, so that even more people can be included in the discussion, and even more knowledge can be gathered and gained.

The main thing is we want to hear from you.

We'll do our part by giving you a look inside the Museum world - everything from sneak peeks on new exhibitions to what's happening with us in the world of science.  All we need from you is what you think, what you know, and what you dig about science. 

In other words, we're glad you're here. Now the conversation can really get started.

Welcome, and happy posting!

As an education-based organization, we believe in the importance of open exchange and learning. In order to maintain a family friendly and respectful environment, we do moderate comments made on our social media networks and blogs. While most comments will remain posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderating decisions are subjective. We will make them as carefully and consistently as we can.

We are dedicated to providing our visitors with a quality experience - whether it be online or at the Museum. We will address all constructive criticisms quickly and efficiently as long as they are not abusive, offensive, inappropriate, profane (including expletives and letters followed by dashes) or illegal.

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Revised: November 12, 2024

Introduction

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science (Museum), a nonprofit educational entity and a responsible steward of the resources held in the public trust, is committed to public accountability and transparency in mission and operations. The Museum is proud of its contribution to Denver, the State of Colorado, and its many visitors and colleagues beyond the state, and through this Code of Ethics (Code), presents certain principles related to ethical conduct upon which it has operated in the past and upon which it will continue to operate in the future.

The Code reflects the highest concepts of ethical and professional practices and endorses the American Association of Museums' Code of Ethics for Museums, as well as the specific codes of scientific professional disciplines represented at the Museum. Where this Code and discipline-specific codes disagree, the Code shall prevail. The Code guides the institution and its trustees, staff, and volunteers, who legally, ethically, and effectively carry out their responsibilities. The Code is intended to guide behavior both within the Museum and outside it. By way of example only, the standards of conduct set forth herein apply to interactions with outside organizations, contractors, vendors, potential and actual donors, trustee emeriti and the public at large.

Pursuant to the Museum’s bylaws, the Board of Trustees shall have final responsibility in all matters of policy. This Code references other internal governance policies. It is incumbent upon Trustees, staff and volunteers to become familiar with all Museum governing policies in order to meet their ethical obligations. It is understood that all policies employed in fulfilling the vision, mission, strategic direction, strategic plan and annual plan of the Museum, including this Code, meet or exceed all legal and regulatory requirements as established by international, federal, state, county, and municipal authority. The Museum’s Executive Committee oversees the implementation of this Code for Trustees. The Museum’s President oversees the implementation of this Code for staff and volunteers. 

Museum Governance

The governing body of the Museum, the Board of Trustees, serves the public interest as it relates to the Museum, and must consider itself accountable to the public as well as to the institution. In all cases, the 
Board acts as the ultimate legal authority for the Museum, and stands responsible for the formulation and maintenance of its general overall policies and standards. The Board is responsible for the following:

a. Establishing the vision, mission and strategic direction, and approving the strategic plan, objectives and budget.

b. Empowering the President to fulfill and manage the day-to-day operations of the Museum.

c. Conducting Museum business as a board, committee, or subcommittee or otherwise in conformance with the bylaws or applicable resolutions.

d. Taking no advantage of information they receive during their service to the institution if their personal use of such information could be detrimental to the Museum.

e. Developing, administering and advocating for policies and procedures that foster fair, consistent and equitable treatment for all.

f. Ensuring sufficient funding for protection of the Museum's assets and delivery of its programs and services.

g. Ensuring no policies or activities jeopardize the Museum's non-profit status.

h. Providing financial protection for trustees, staff, and volunteers for liabilities resulting from Museum activities.

i. Maintaining standards of conduct at least as stringent as those established for Museum staff and volunteers. 

The Museum in Society

The Museum, as directed by its mission, is committed to serving its public in science education, providing superior maintenance and security of its assets, both physical and financial, and generating new scientific knowledge through its research program. As such, the Museum:

a. Aligns its activities with its mission to promote the public good rather than individual gain.

b. Is committed to human and planetary wellness and shall strive to avoid practices and products whose creation or disposal is unhealthy or otherwise detrimental.

c. Acknowledges, values, and respects the social, cultural and individual diversity of all people in both its programs and hiring practices. The Museum will use its best efforts to foster accessible exhibits, programs, organizational procedures and operations.

d. The Museum recognizes the value of sharing decision making with diverse audiences, communities, donors, members, staff, trustees, and volunteers.

e. The Museum provides for the health and safety of its guests, volunteers, and employees through a continuing program designed to reduce and/or eliminate the possible causes of accidents and to create the healthiest environment possible in the fulfillment of the mission of the Museum.

Conduct for Trustees, Staff and Volunteers

Board membership, employment and volunteerism at the Museum involve a position of public trust with great responsibility. In all activities, Museum trustees, staff and volunteers must act with integrity and in accordance with stringent professional ethical principles and objectivity in support of the Museum's mission and public trust responsibilities. These general expectations do not in any way change or modify legal requirements governing employment practices as addressed in the Museum’s Employment Handbook for employees. 

a. Trustees, staff and volunteers are expected to contribute talents and energies that create a safe, open and inclusive environment and add to the quality of the Museum and the Museum's services. Trustees, staff and volunteers are expected to learn and demonstrate the Museum's values, and enhance and support the future of the Museum in our community.

b. Trustees, staff and volunteers shall attend annual training supplied by the Museum regarding sexual harassment and unlawful discrimination, with the expectation that Trustees shall be held to the same standards of conduct as applicable to Museum employees and volunteers. The Board of Trustees may also elect to implement additional training for Trustees on other matters germane to responsibilities and fiduciary duties. 

c. Trustees, staff and volunteers shall ensure that all relationships with outside organizations, contractors, vendors, potential and actual donors, trustee emeriti and the public at large comport with this Code and are governed by mutual respect.

Conflict of Interest

The Museum’s Conflict of Interest Policy is designed to maintain high moral standards of honesty, integrity, and loyalty to the Museum and prohibit any private or personal activity that might conflict, or appear to 
conflict with the Museum's goals, purposes and operations or bring discredit or embarrassment to the Museum or to the profession. Trustees shall comply with the Museum’s Conflict of Interest Policy and annually complete a conflict of interest questionnaire to identify and resolve any real or apparent conflicts of interest. Museum staff and volunteers shall comply with the Museum’s conflict of interest policies as set forth in the Museum’s Employee Handbook and other relevant documentation and guidelines.

Collections

The Museum's obligation to its collections and associated documentation is paramount. The collections are held in the public trust at the highest standards of care for ensuring that collections are preserved and used for educational and scholarly purposes in perpetuity. The Board of Trustees provides oversight regarding these stewardship responsibilities, which is governed by the Museum’s Manual of Collection Policies.

Collaborations and Fundraising

The Museum adheres to the following precepts with respect to collaborations and fundraising:

a. The Museum welcomes appropriate cooperation with similar organizations to further its preservation, research, and educational goals.

b. The Museum is in ultimate control of educational content in exhibits and programs. The recognition of external donors or sponsors is secondary.

c. The Museum will acknowledge corporate support but will not specifically endorse any corporation, its products or services.

d. The Museum's reputation is one of its most precious assets and in no way shall any sponsorship diminish that reputation. In the case of some breach of morals, the sponsorship shall be dissolved.

e. Those involved in fundraising must do so with honesty as to need and must use funds for a donor's intended purposes. Opportunities and advantages shall be promised to donors equally.

f. All donor-related records and documents shall be confidential, except as required by law.

g. The Museum shall keep standard accounting records.

h. Those authorized to spend funds must do so with impartiality, honesty, and in the Museum's best interest.

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The Denver Museum of Nature & Science provides its Material to the public to further its commitment to serving the public in informal science education and the stewardship of its collections. The text, information, data, artwork, video, audio, images or graphics or other media hereinafter created and provided by the Museum on its Web site (collectively, the "Material") is protected by copyright.

• You may not modify the Material or use the Material without the express written consent of the Museum and any other copyright owner of the Material.
• You may print Material from this Web site for personal or educational purposes only, and all copies must include any copyright notice originally included with the Material.
• For all other uses, including scientific or academic research, you may not reproduce, republish, post, transmit or distribute any Material from this Web site, whether for personal web pages, multimedia presentations, CD-ROMs of any type, web or FTP based clip-art collections, or any other use, without the express written consent of the Museum and any other copyright owner of the Material.

Necessary permission must be obtained from the copyright holder, which in some instances may be the Museum, prior to the use of any Material appearing on this Web site. Independent of any fees that may be assessed by a copyright holder, it is the policy of the Museum to assess a fee for some uses of materials from its collections. Such fees are intended to offset a small part of the Museum's costs for processing, preservation, and servicing of its collections.  The permissions request, below, can be filled out and electronically.

To learn more about image permission and use please visit: Image Licensing and Permissions

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Many of the trademarks, service marks, and logos (collectively, the "Marks") displayed on this Web site, including "The Denver Museum of Nature & Science" and "Expedition Health" are registered and/or unregistered marks of the Museum. The Marks of third parties, such as partners and sponsors, may also be displayed on this Web site. Nothing contained in this Web site should be construed as granting, by implication, estoppels, or otherwise, any license or right to use any Marks displayed on this Web site without the express written permission of the Museum or any third party that may own the Marks displayed on this web site. Any unauthorized use of the Marks or any other Material, except as authorized herein, is strictly prohibited.

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Without limiting the foregoing, all Material on this Web site is provided "AS IS" WITHOUT A WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE, AND/OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. The Museum assumes no responsibility, and shall not be liable for, any damages to, or viruses that may infect, your computer equipment or other property on account of your use of this Web site or your downloading of any Material from the Web site.

The Museum reserves the right to change this policy at any time.