Glenwood Caverns Files for Bankruptcy After $116M Verdict in 2021 Ride Death

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Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, the company that owns and operates the Glenwood Caverns mountaintop amusement park, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. This comes after a Garfield County jury found the park partially liable for the 2021 death of 6-year-old Wongel Estifanos, resulting in a wrongful death judgment of over $116 million.

Why it matters

The bankruptcy filing highlights the significant financial impact of the $116 million verdict on the park's operations. While the park says it will remain open, the bankruptcy proceedings will determine how the company moves forward and whether it can continue operating long-term.

The details

In 2021, 6-year-old Wongel Estifanos died after falling from the Haunted Mine Drop ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. A Garfield County jury later found the park partially liable for her death, resulting in the $116 million wrongful death judgment. The bankruptcy filing indicates the park is unable to pay the full amount of the verdict.

• In 2021, 6-year-old Wongel Estifanos died after falling from the Haunted Mine Drop ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
• In 2022, a Garfield County jury found the park partially liable for Wongel's death, resulting in a $116 million wrongful death judgment.
• On February 16, 2026, Glenwood Caverns Holdings LLC, the company that owns and operates the park, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.

What’s next

The bankruptcy proceedings will determine how Glenwood Caverns Holdings LLC moves forward and whether the park can continue operating long-term.