Re/Max co-founder gives Wildlife Experience to University of Colorado

Re/Max co-founder Dave Liniger took a look at his long list of philanthropic gifts and noticed an omission — education.

He now can add it to the list, in bold type and underlined.

Liniger and wife Gail are donating the Wildlife Experience in Douglas County to the University of Colorado.

Valued at $40 million, the museum and exhibition facility on 14 acres represents the largest donation of real estate ever received by CU.

“Gail and I realize that education in our community is a major need,” Liniger said. “We have been so fortunate in business, and our financial success is allowing us to branch out in our charity.”

The couple retained a 61 percent equity stake in the international real estate brokerage after Re/Max raised $220 million last year in an initial public stock offering.

The Linigers’ philanthropy previously has focused on wildlife conservation, art and support of military veterans.

Discussions between the couple and CU officials began more than a year ago. An interim step occurred this year when the Linigers authorized the university to use part of the 151,000-square-foot Wildlife Experience for classrooms.

CU last year conducted a market study that identified gaps in educational offerings in south metro Denver, a region that encompasses one-third of the Denver-area population and is home to seven of Colorado’s nine Fortune 500 companies.

“This whole thing with the Linigers is so important for us,” said CU president Bruce Benson. “I look at Dave and Gail as some of the best people around. They do so much for Colorado, and nobody knows it.”

The CU Board of Regents on Thursday voted to accept the donation and approved naming the facility the Liniger Building at the University of Colorado South Denver.

CU Denver will manage the property. The museum and exhibits will remain open to the public, and the facility will continue to rent space for special events. More classrooms will be added and used by CU’s four campuses.

Academic departments now using the facility include business, education and human development, engineering and applied science, liberal arts and sciences, nursing and public health.

The nursing school operates a simulation lab where students can interact with robotic patients.

Liniger, 68, said he will maintain his private art collection at the museum.

The brokerage magnate was paralyzed and nearly died in 2012 when a staph infection spread through his spinal column. He endured 16 months of rehabilitation, including a lengthy stay at Craig Hospital. He and Gail last year donated $10 million to the hospital, the largest gift in Craig’s history.

He said his only remaining concessions to the illness are walking with a cane and using the forward tee boxes when he plays golf.

Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948, sraabe@denverpost.com or twitter.com/steveraabedp