Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park sits on 65 acres along the Platte River in downtown Denver, Colorado, offering 40 attractions including six roller coasters and the adjacent 20-acre Island Kingdom Family Water Park. The park traces its roots to 1890, when it opened miles away as Elitch Zoological Gardens, one of the oldest continuously operating amusement parks in the country before its 1994 closure and relocation.
On May 27, 1995, Elitch Gardens reopened at its current downtown site after a $90 million construction effort. Today the park is owned by KSE Radio Ventures (Kroenke Sports & Entertainment) and operated by Premier Parks, LLC, drawing over a million visitors a year despite periodic speculation about relocating to make way for the surrounding River Mile development. As of 2026, KSE has confirmed the park will keep operating at its current downtown location.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Denver, Colorado
- Opened (current site): May 27, 1995
- Original opening: 1890 (as Elitch Zoological Gardens)
- Size: About 65 acres, plus a 20-acre water park
- Owner: KSE Radio Ventures, LLC
- Operator: Premier Parks, LLC
- Attractions: About 40, including 6 roller coasters
The Ride Lineup
Elitch Gardens’ coaster collection spans several eras and styles. The centerpiece is Twister III: Storm Chaser, a wooden coaster built by Hensel Phelps Construction Co. (with trains supplied by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters) that stands about 100 feet tall, reaches roughly 55 mph, and runs around 4,640 feet of track, including a signature pitch-black tunnel effect. Other coasters include the Vekoma-built Mind Eraser (inverted) and Boomerang (shuttle loop), the Arrow Dynamics launched-loop Sidewinder, the Intamin spinning coaster Half Pipe, and the family-friendly Flying Coaster Twist n’ Shout area rides.
From Botanical Garden to Downtown Icon
Elitch Gardens began in 1890 as a combined zoo, botanical garden, and amusement park northwest of downtown Denver, and it became known for its historic theater and its long-running Trocadero ballroom before amusement rides became the main draw. When the original site closed in 1994, the park relocated to its current Platte River valley location near Downtown Denver and the Ball Arena area, reopening the following year as a modern theme park while preserving its identity as one of the country’s older amusement operations.
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Elitch Gardens FAQs
Is Elitch Gardens the same park that opened in 1890?
It’s the same organization and name, but not the same site. The original Elitch Gardens operated a few miles away from 1890 until 1994, when it closed and relocated to its current downtown Denver location, reopening in May 1995.
How many roller coasters does Elitch Gardens have?
The park operates six roller coasters, including the wooden Twister III: Storm Chaser and steel coasters like Mind Eraser, Boomerang, Sidewinder, and Half Pipe.
Who built Twister III: Storm Chaser?
The wooden coaster’s structure was built by Hensel Phelps Construction Co., with trains supplied by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC). It was rebuilt from the earlier Mr. Twister/Twister II layout and renamed Twister III: Storm Chaser after a 2023 refurbishment.
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Photo: USGS / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.