COLORADO NEWS

Water World and Elitch Gardens Water Park open Memorial Day weekend

May 22, 2025, 3:12 PM | Updated: May 23, 2025, 1:53 pm

The unofficial beginning of summer is this weekend, and with that, the best water parks in Colorado are set to open for the season!

One of America’s largest waterparks, Water World, has more than 50 attractions, including more family tube rides than any other park in America. It was even named the second-best water park in the U.S. recently. Parking at the park is free, and Water World allows food and drinks to be carried in. Water World opens Saturday at 10 a.m. Tickets are available online at WaterWorldColorado.com.

The water park at Denver’s Elitch Gardens is also ready for the summer season. The Island Kingdom Water Park opens Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The water park features thrill, speed and raft rides, a lazy river and splash bay. Cabanas and tubes are available for rent. The water park is free with theme park admission and will be open through Labor Day weekend. Single-day and season passes are available at ElitchGardens.com.

Colorado News

Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images...

Shawn Patrick

The Denver Dog Fair takes over the National Western Complex on Saturday

The Denver Dog Fair returns Saturday (June 27) to the National Western Complex with 140,000 square feet of indoor, temperature-controlled space dedicated entirely to the proposition that dogs deserve their […]

3 days ago

Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images...

Shawn Patrick

The 2026 Colorado Rockies are bad, but they’re also the most exciting team in baseball

The Colorado Rockies are 32-49, dead last in the NL West and 20 games behind the Dodgers. They own the worst ERA in Major League Baseball at 5.48 and have […]

3 days ago

Broomfield Recreation Services...

Shawn Patrick

‘Night glow swimming’ at The Bay in Broomfield: Color-changing lights, waterslides and $9 tickets

Looking for a summer activity that doesn’t involve bribing your kids with screen time? Broomfield’s Bay Aquatic Park has added something new for 2026: Family Night Glow Swimming sessions where […]

3 days ago

Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images...

Shawn Patrick

Casa Bonita makes Yelp’s list of most outrageous restaurants in America

Of all the restaurants in America where you can eat a sopapilla while watching a man do a backflip off a cliff into a pool, only one made Yelp’s list […]

3 days ago

Greeley Stampede...

Shawn Patrick

Shawn Patrick’s top 10 things not to be missed at the 104th Greeley Stampede

A short drive north from Denver will have you in Greeley, my hometown and the home of the Greeley Stampede, one of the biggest rodeo and western celebrations in America. […]

3 days ago

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images...

Shawn Patrick

Avalanche trade Nichushkin to Columbus, continuing roster overhaul

Another piece of the 2022 Stanley Cup championship team is gone. The Colorado Avalanche traded forward Valeri Nichushkin to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday in exchange for three draft […]

3 days ago

Water World and Elitch Gardens Water Park open Memorial Day weekend