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Ground Breaks For New 'Defiance' Rollercoaster That Will Take You 7,132 Feet Above Sea Level

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - Colorado will be home to a new, record-breaking rollercoaster. Ground was broken recently for "Defiance" at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs.

The ride will take riders 7,132 feet above sea level, which organizers say, will make it the highest looping rollercoaster in the country. They say it will also feature a 110-foot beyond vertical, record-breaking 102.3-degree free-fall drop, the steepest in the Western U.S.

Glenwood Rollercoaster rendering 1 (from park's PR)
(credit: Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park)

The coaster got its name in honor of the original name of Glenwood Springs in 1879 when prospectors and miners "defied the elements, norms and laws of civilization," park officials stated.

Glenwood Rollercoaster rendering 2 (from park's PR)
(credit: Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park)

Gerstlauer Amusement Rides, GmbH, will manufacture the ride, which is slated to open to the public in the summer of 2022.

"As this coaster will showcase the incredible talents of Gerstlauer, we believe the same will hold true for the installation and our installation team, which is considered the best in the industry," Ed Hiller said, CEO of Ride Entertainment said.

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