Colorado Adventure Park Files for Bankruptcy After Child's Death

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Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, months after a judge ordered the company to pay over $116 million for its role in the 2021 death of 6-year-old Wongel Estifanos. The child died after falling from the Haunted Mine Drop ride due to multiple operator errors, including failing to ensure she was properly restrained.

Why it matters

This bankruptcy filing highlights the devastating consequences that can occur when theme park operators fail to prioritize safety and properly train their staff. The Estifanos family's lawsuit alleged a pattern of customer complaints about ride operators not securing passengers, underscoring the need for stronger oversight and accountability in the industry.

The details

A state investigation found that Wongel's death resulted from multiple operator errors, including one who did not prepare the seat belts before allowing Wongel and other passengers to sit down. Wongel was seated on top of still-locked seat belts in a previously unoccupied seat. The lawsuit also alleged that multiple customers had previously notified the park about operators not properly securing passengers and that Glenwood Caverns failed to turn over all customer complaints about the ride.

• Wongel Estifanos died in the fall of 2021 after falling from the Haunted Mine Drop ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
• In 2022, a judge ordered Glenwood Caverns to pay over $116 million in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Wongel's family.
• Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February 2026.

What’s next

The bankruptcy proceedings will determine the future of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and how the Estifanos family's $116 million judgment will be addressed.