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PHOTOS: Opening Day at Elitch Gardens

By May 1, 2021 | updated 5 years ago

People ride the Sea Dragon during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
People ride the Sea Dragon during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
People ride the Sea Dragon during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Bill Melka dances with his daughter Keira Melka, 6, as they wait for the rides to open during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Bill Melka dances with his daughter Keira Melka, 6, as they wait for the rides to open during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Lily Ritz, left, and Esther Steed, right, prepare to ride The Tower of Doom during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Lily Ritz, left, and Esther Steed, right, prepare to ride The Tower of Doom during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
People ride Brain Drain during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
People ride Brain Drain during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
People get loaded up to ride Brain Drain during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
People get loaded up to ride Brain Drain during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
People wait in line for opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
People wait in line for opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Kevin Moller, the self-proclaimed regular and amusement park enthusiast, has visited the park every day it's been open since 1995, waits for the rides to open during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Kevin Moller, the self-proclaimed regular and amusement park enthusiast, has visited the park every day it’s been open since 1995, waits for the rides to open during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Isaiah, 4, hugs his mother Krystal Medina as they enter the park for opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Isaiah, 4, hugs his mother Krystal Medina as they enter the park for opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Elitch Gardens in Denver. Chancey Bush (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Elitch Gardens in Denver. Chancey Bush (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Shawn and his daughter Veronica, 10, wait in line for opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Shawn and his daughter Veronica, 10, wait in line for opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Juanita Segura puts sunscreen on Julianna Lucero, 5, as they wait in line for opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Juanita Segura puts sunscreen on Julianna Lucero, 5, as they wait in line for opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Bill Melka holds his daughter Keira Melka, 6, as they wait for the rides to open during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Bill Melka holds his daughter Keira Melka, 6, as they wait for the rides to open during opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
Opening day at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
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People get soaked on Shipwreck Falls at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
People get soaked on Shipwreck Falls at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, May 1, 2021. The amusement park opened for the first time since Nov. 3, 2019, at 43% of their normal capacity without the water park. (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette) (Chancey Bush/ The Gazette)
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