Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park this month finished reopening a pair of its biggest roller coasters to the public, even as Denver’s historic Lakeside Amusement Park continues to struggle to get its own historic coaster back on track.

Last week, the 58-acre Elitch Gardens in downtown Denver reopened the Twister III: Storm Chaser wooden roller coaster, which had previously been closed this year for maintenance, according to the company. The massive Twister III dates to 1964, when it was first built at Elitch’s original location in northwest Denver.

It has since undergone several upgrades and rebuilding phases — including a 2023 rebrand as Twister III (from Twister II, of course) after a year-long closure — and includes a 90-foot drop, 100-foot darkened tunnel, and “the sights, sounds

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