A storm is brewing again at downtown Denver’s major theme park.

And it’s in the form of a wooden roller coaster that has, for decades, provided countless memories to those visiting Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park.

After being closed so far in 2025, Twister III: Storm Chaser is now open again, meaning it’s the first time in years the park is operating all of its major roller coasters at once.

Until its reopening Friday, Twister III: Storm Chaser’s 2025 closure became clouded in mystery.

“The ride required extensive maintenance to ensure it met our highest standards for safety and performance, which took longer than we had originally anticipated,” an Elitch Gardens spokesperson said.

“We’re excited to welcome guests back to enjoy this park’s favorite once again,” the spokesperson said.

A long history of thrills

In 1964, the old Elitch’s at 38th Avenue and Tennyson Street became home to Mr. Twister, the first installment of a wooden roller coaster that would continue refurbishment for over 60 years.

After a 30-year run at the old Elitch’s, the ride was rebuilt and reopened as Twister II at the new downtown Denver location in 1995.

Then again, in 2022, the roller coaster underwent a season-long renovation and reopened as Twister III: Storm Chaser in 2023.

Located at the southern edge of the park, Twister III features a 91-foot drop at a top speed of 55 mph into a series of helixes, drops, hills and a tunnel spec’d with the sounds of a tornado.

Twister III remains the longest roller coaster at Elitch Gardens with 4,640 feet of traditional wooden track.

All Elitch’s roller coasters now operational

Twister III: Storm Chaser isn’t the only significant reopening this year at Denver’s theme park.

In fact, earlier this season, Elitch’s reopened “Sidewinder,” the old Arrow Dynamics launched loop coaster, after over a two-year closure.

Meanwhile, all other major coasters at Elitch’s have operated in 2025:

• Mind Eraser, a Vekoma suspended looping coaster.
• Halfpipe, an Intamin launched multi-pass coaster.
• Boomerang, a standard Vekoma boomerang model.
• Blazin’ Buckaroo, a family sit-down coaster.

With Twister III: Storm Chaser’s reopening, it’s the first time since at least before 2022 that all Elitch Gardens’ roller coasters can operate at the same time. Daily ride closures are posted in front of the park.

Elitch Gardens officials didn’t confirm when the last time all major coasters operated at once.

But for now, until Elitch’s ends its roller coaster operating season after the Fright Fest event, anyone can now enjoy the Denver classic.