Media advisory: CSU’s corpse flower has bloomed and the public is invited to visit

Note to reporters: A live stream of Cosmo is available for media use at col.st/aEQWV. Contact Allison Sylte at (720) 849-1907 or [email protected] to arrange on-site coverage and interviews. 

What: Cosmo, Colorado State University’s corpse flower, bloomed on Saturday night! This rare flower has been in the CSU Plant Growth Facilities greenhouse since 2016, and this is its first-ever bloom. When a corpse flower blooms, it emits a pungent odor that’s been compared to the smell of rotting flesh. This smell is the strongest for the initial 12 hours after the bloom, but can still be detected for 24-48 hours. Read more about Cosmo at col.st/qYfLs. 

When: The public can visit Cosmo for free from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day it is in bloom. 

Where: The CSU Plant Growth Facility Conservatory, 1241 Libbie Coy Way, Fort Collins, CO, 80523. 

Parking: Corpse flower visitors should park in the South College Avenue Garage, 121 W. Pitkin St., Fort Collins, CO, 80523. The University Station for the MAX line is within walking distance of the PGF. To reach the PGF entrance from the parking garage, walk west on Pitkin, and follow the signs for the corpse flower viewing line. Only the west doors provide access to the viewing area. Visitors should be prepared to wait in line.

Can’t make it in person? Watch the live stream! For better or for worse, the live stream won’t capture the smell, but you can watch Cosmo’s progress on YouTube: col.st/aEQWV. 

How to provide support: The Plant Growth Facilities team is asking for support to purchase new lighting for their facility, so it can continue to be a resource to the public and advance important research. 

All gifts to this project benefit the CSU-Agricultural Experiment Station Enrichment fund: col.st/h9X8W.