The San Juan Interagency Hotshot Crew is on-site to assess risk and protect the mountain-top theme park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, from the Grizzly Creek fire that started Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Glenwood Canyon. The park closed Thursday, August 13, with an unknown reopening date.
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, the mountain-top theme park overlooking Glenwood Springs, Colorado, closed today for mitigation due to the Grizzly Creek Fire currently burning in Glenwood Canyon. The Type 1, 20-person San Juan Interagency Hotshot Crew out of Durango, Colorado, is on the mountain to assess risk and protect the park. It is unknown when the park will reopen.
“It is hard to express just how grateful we are for these hotshots at the park and for all of the first responders battling the Grizzly Creek Fire and other fires throughout the country. What they do is truly incredible, and we are all praying for their safety and for rain,” Steve Beckley, who owns Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park with his wife Jeanne, said. “We aren’t sure when we will reopen but ask guests and others with questions to follow our Facebook page for updates. Our phones are really busy, so the best way to contact us is via email.”
For guests who have reservations and wish to get a refund, please reply to your confirmation email. Questions can be emailed to info@glenwoodcaverns.com.
The Grizzly Creek Fire is about five miles east of Glenwood Springs and was 6,250 acres in size as of this morning. It started at 1:30 p.m. Monday, August 10, in the median between the eastbound lanes and the elevated westbound lanes at mile marker 120 near Grizzly Creek Rest and Recreation Area. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The fire is burning in oak scrub, mixed conifer, and aspen. Its growth is fueled by fuels, topography, and weather. Drought conditions have created critically dry fuels that are very receptive to fire. Interstate 70 is closed in both directions due to firefighting efforts occurring on and along the interstate, as well as rocks and other debris rolling onto the roadway. Cottonwood Pass and Independence Pass are closed as well. For the most current detour information, go to https://www.cotrip.org/.
