Unruly Teenagers Prompt Elitch Gardens To Change Park Rules

Elitch Gardens, a staple for many Denver kids and teenagers, is changing its policy around adult supervision.

According to KDVR, the theme park will now require children aged 15 and younger to have adult supervision.

Previously, children 12 and under needed a chaperone to enter the park.

The new policy went into effect on Saturday, July 10.

The policy change comes after a spokesperson for Elitch Gardens said the park has experienced unruly and unsupervised teenagers this summer.

“Elitch Gardens will continue to provide quality, safe family fun for Denver families as we have for the last 130 years,” said Elitch Gardens Marketing Manager Jolie DuBois. “We will continue to improve our policies and procedures as needed. Guests that the policy modification absolutely does not work for, we will work with them directly to resolve their concerns.”

Adult chaperones are parents, legal guardians, or other supervising adults at least 21 years of age.

Many park-goers have expressed concerns about the new policy.

KDVR talked with parents who think the change is misguided.

“I get it but I don’t. There are a lot of kids that are very well behaved, very respectful and it feels like there’s just been a handful of kids that have ruined it for all kids now," Katie Gurule told KDVR. "I can’t afford to buy a ticket for myself plus my two younger children and go several times a week. She now has this pass that’s going to sit there."