DENVER (KDVR) — A childhood staple for many in the Denver metro area, Elitch Gardens is changing its policy and requiring children aged 15 and younger to have adult supervision.
A spokesperson for Elitch Gardens says the park has experienced some unsupervised and unruly teenagers attending this summer. Their previous chaperone policy was required for children 12 and under, and the park decided to increase that age to 15 at all times. The park’s chaperone policy has applied to all minors age 17 and under after 3 p.m.
“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 defined as a parent, legal guardian or other supervising adult at least 21 years old. The new policy takes effect Saturday.
The policy change has parents like Katie Gurule looking for answers.
“I get it but I don’t. There are a lot of kids that are very well behaved, very respectful and it feel slike there’s just been a handful of kids that have ruined it for all kids now,” said Gurule.
Her 13-year-old daughter used birthday money to buy a season pass and will no longer be able to use it as planned.
“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,” said Gurule.
Gurule says she received an email response from Elitch’s, but has not been told whether she’ll receive a refund.
“They need to fix this. This is just a huge mess and I don’t think they thought this through before doing it,” she said.
DuBois said the park is planning to work with any disappointed season pass holders on a case-by-case basis. Season pass holders can email them at info@elitchgardens.com.