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A Denver Roller Coaster History

Posted on September 18, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Bree Davies

Bree Davies

Remnants of the original Elitch Gardens amusement park four years after its closure and relocation.

Remnants of the original Elitch Gardens amusement park four years after its closure and relocation. (Denver Public Library Special Collections, CPHOTO445-2018-710)

The Twister III: Storm Chaser debuted this year at Elitch Gardens — a bigger, better, and faster version of its previous roller coaster iteration. Westword’s Bennito L. Kelty says this third take on the OG Mister Twister thrill ride “has the same track as Twister II, which is longer, taller and faster than the original Mr. Twister. Elitch Gardens upgraded the ride to Twister II after moving the park from Tennyson Street to downtown Denver in 1995.” The photo above shows remnants of the original ride on the grounds of “Old Elitches” — the park on 38th and Tennyson before Elitch Gardens was moved to its current downtown location. This image of a derelict coaster entrance was taken in 1998, four years after the Northside park closed. Most rides went with the move, but many of the park’s original structures did not, left to rot among the gorgeous, mature trees that also couldn’t make the trek.

As the park embarks on a possible move to a third location since its grand opening in 1890, we’re excited to see what an Elitch Gardens Part III might bring 😊Were you a visitor (or an employee) of “Old” old Elitch’s? Share your memories and photographs with us! 📸💌

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