Is Elitch Gardens closing? The long-term future of Elitch Gardens is uncertain after Denver’s city council voted to approve a development and rezoning agreement that brings the massive “River Mile” project one step closer to fruition.
Components of the 58-acre, $6.8 billion River Mile mixed-use area include low-, mid- and highrise buildings containing a total of 8,000 residential units along with green space, entertainment, retail and more.
However, Elitch Gardens isn’t expected to close anytime soon. The project will take up to 25 years to complete with construction happening in stages. The first phase will only include a parking garage and other small structures in plots of land currently occupied by surface parking lots. And if the park does close, city leaders say the park could potentially be rebuilt somewhere else in the region.
With so many uncertainties surrounding large-scale development projects like this — funding, demand, tenants, the economy, etc. — the entire project could undergo numerous iterations and changes before the park closes.
And while I would typically doubt the prospect of an amusement park relocating, Elitch Gardens has proven in the past that it can be done.
After opening in its original location in 1890, the park relocated to its current home in 1995. Today, it features six roller coasters, a water park and dozens of other rides and attractions. The park was formerly part of the Six Flags chain until it sold the property in 2006.
Maybe the third time’s a charm for this park. The large Denver market certainly seems capable of supporting a park of this size (or larger).
What do you think about the possibility of Elitch Gardens closing? If you’re familiar with the Denver area, where would you rebuild the park? Discuss in the comments section below.
Elitches Amusement Park Denver needs to be moved near the Gaylord our in Aurora open space where the airport and hotels currently are.
I think it should be moved south, way south like along the front range in Colorado Springs. Denver has shown they don’t care by kicking them out. Land is much cheaper the more south you go. Elitches could buy a larger chunk of land to call their own forever
DO NOT MOVE ELITCH GARDENS. We are the only capitol in the nation that has wildlife, family living, Denver Mint, Capital, Art museums(kids and adult), stadiums(Mile High,Coors field, and Pepsi Center), year round professional sports teams, nightlife, cooperate america, mom and pop shops, lightrail, colleges, Colorado ballet, receration sports, out door life, 16th street mall which includes shopping, entertainment, adult activies, family activies and ELITCH GARDENS THEME AMD WATER PARK. NO other state has that in there downtown and in their nation’s capital. WE ARE A NATIONAL TREASURE. To take Elitch Gardens away would take away our treasure.
I would build elich gardens near the four corners
What’s going to happen is Elitch Gardens is it’s going to be gone forever for another gentrified area in Denver. Yeah these developers will talk as if they’re going to move it, but won’t actually move it. They only lie so people won’t get mad until it’s too late to do anything about it. Also they’ll tear it down quicker than you think. 25 years is the max, because they know They’ll face lawsuits which will take a bit to settle in court, ultimately the developers will win, because they already got the approval for development by the city. They’ll claim they won’t be able to find land for the park and claim it’s too expensive to move it and operate it. This happens far too often. Well Denver enjoy another gentrified area and no more urban setting amusement park.