Royal Gorge slowly getting back to normal

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is months away from a full opening, but a popular attraction is operating again today.

Visitors were screaming to the top of their lungs on the sky coaster, which opened again, at Royal Gorge. It’s a sign of progress for the park, since this was the first day Royal Gorge had electricity south of the bridge.

General Manager Mike Bandera said more than 800 people visited the park in the last two weeks. He’s expecting about 1,000 visitors this weekend.

“About 75 to 80 percent of people are from out of state,” he said.

The improvements are making shop owner Ranell Fox optimistic for the future.

“It’s a real plus for the bridge to open again, it makes it better for shopping,” she said.

Bandera said the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is on track to have a full opening in August.

The park still does guided tours on the weekends for $10 a person.