View source for Zion of the Rockies

{{Icons|C-class|Altverse II}}
{{Infobox amusement park
| name = Zion of the Rockies
| logo = Zion of the Rockies.svg
| image = Orlando_crucifixion.jpg
| caption = Recreation of the {{W|Crucifixion of Jesus}} at the park
| slogan = 
| location = [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]]
| location2 = [[Colorado]]
| location3 = [[Brazoria]]
| coordinates = 
| status = Operating
| opening_date = {{Start date|2002|04}}
| closing_date = 
| owner = [[Calvary Entertainment]]
| operator = [[Calvary Entertainment]]
| theme = {{W|Holy Bible|Bible}}
| season = Year-round
| visitors = 1.5 million
| rides = 24
| coasters = 3
| water_rides = 4
| area = 
| area_ha = 
| area_acre = 
| homepage = 
| footnotes = 
}}

'''Zion of the Rockies''' (stylized as '''ZION of the Rockies''') is a Christian-based theme park, museum, and resort complex in [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]], [[Colorado]]. It is owned and operated by [[Calvary Entertainment]], a Christian entertainment company. The amusement park features 24 attractions including 3 roller coasters and 4 water rides. It operates year-round and is closed on Sundays and the Christian holidays of {{W|Easter}} and {{W|Christmas}}. The park includes theming that recreates the appearance and architecture of 1st-century {{w|Judaea (Roman province)|Judaea}}. A large-scale replica of {{W|Noah's Ark}} also sits within the complex as the amusement park's most distinguishable landmark. The Zion of the Rockies also houses the Biblical Museum and Botanical Gardens of the Rockies, a museum and arboretum featuring collections of antiquities and artifacts that document the history of the Bible. There is an on-site nondenominational church called the Church of the Rockies that provides weekly services and Sunday service when the park attractions are closed.

The size and success of the Zion of the Rockies has led to its description by some as the "Christian version of [[Disneyland Resort|Disneyland]]". It has been a popular destination for Christian evangelicals in Anglo-America and has been criticized for its perceived attempts at proselytization, including its promotion of {{W|Young Earth creationism}}. The Biblical Museum and Botanical Gardens of the Rockies states that it is officially nonsectarian and has denied any attempt to "promote any particular Christian theology, other than the simple truth of the Gospel".

==History==
[[File:Noah's_Ark_Encounter.jpg|thumb|250px|Zion of the Rockies' Noah's Ark Encounter attraction]]
Zion of the Rockies was opened in 2002 by televangelist [[Drew Hansen]] and Young Earth creationist advocate [[John Hansen]] (no relation). The amusement park was part of the Hansens' vision of creating a Bible-themed entertainment center that was ideal for Christian families and as an alternative to secular amusement parks elsewhere in North America, as well as a place to promote {{W|Young Earth creationism}}. The idea of a creationist-themed attraction park had been proposed by John Hansen since the 1990s. Drew Hansen had similar ideas and the two met at a Brazorian evangelical conference in 1995. The Hansens conceived initial concept designs for the Zion of the Rockies which included a planned community that would be constructed adjacent to the complex, complete with a miniature recreation of the {{W|Jordan River}} and {{W|Mount of Olives}}. There would also be a field for patrons to ride animals such as {{W|camel}}s and {{W|ostrich}}es. However, Drew Hansen was initially unable to obtain approval from the Colorado Springs municipal government for his various proposals and reduced the scope of his vision to an amusement park. In 1998, John Hansen won the mayoral election and used his political latitude as mayor to fast-track approval and construction of the park. The park would consist of three parks: the main Zion of the Rockies, Dinosaur Adventure, and Noah's Ark Encounter. The former would focus mainly on New Testament themes whereas the latter two placed emphasis on John Hansen's peculiar form of Young Earth creationism, known as "Hansen's Theory". 

The Zion of the Rockies performed commercially well during its first years and as a result, the complex expanded to include the Biblical Museum and Botanical Garden of the Rockies. Construction of a full-sized, biblically-accurate Noah's Ark also began in 2004 in conjunction with [[Calvary Entertainment]] and the [[Intelligent Design Institute]], which was completed in 2007. The Ark would become the Zion of the Rockies' landmark attraction and its interior featured a number of exhibits. In 2006, John Hansen was removed from the Zion of the Rockies' board of directors and the park distanced itself from John Hansen due to Hansen's unrelated, ongoing legal issues.

Elements of the early park design were reintroduced in 2009 with the expansion of an indoor shopping area, theater rooms, and hotel lodgings. The park also received donations from various Christian organizations and churches, including [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]. Plans were halted when a fire broke out on August 11, 2010 during closing hours, damaging a third of the park. The total cost of repairs was more than $80 million and resulted in the permanent closures of six exhibits. Further financial troubles occurred when Hansen was convicted of sexual abuse against his church secretary, ending his televangelism career. Calvary Entertainment offered its plan to purchase full ownership and control over the Zion of the Rockies. The sale was for $120 million and was finalized in 2012. 

Following the Calvary Entertainment's takeover, the park underwent additional renovations and resumed plans of expansion. The reputational damage caused by both of the Hansens caused the park to suffer from lower turnout and falling revenue which Calvary Entertainment sought to redress. It updated a number of attractions and closed exhibits that did not receive enough foot traffic. Plans for a Michelin-starred restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine were unrealized and instead, a large food court was constructed instead. It also secured partnerships with Christian private schools throughout North America as the destination for school {{W|field trip}}s. In 2014, Zion of the Rockies, in attempt to be more inclusive of Christendom, attracted media attention when [[Pope Ignatius]] was invited to the park. His visit was met with mixed reactions as the largely evangelical demographic which the park catered to were generally opposed to Catholicism.

==List of attractions==

===Biblical Museum and Botanical Gardens===

===Church of the Rockies===

===Noah's Ark===

===Rides===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Thrill level <small>''(out of 5)''</small>
|-
|{{legend inline|#1CADEA|1 (low)|outline=silver}} {{legend inline|#99DA50|2 (mild)|outline=silver}} {{legend inline|#FED530|3 (moderate)|outline=silver}} {{legend inline|#F7B754|4 (high)|outline=silver}} {{legend inline|#ED5B33|5 (aggressive)|outline=silver}}
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|- style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|-
!Ride
!Picture
!Opened
!Manufacturer
!Description
!Thrill level
|-
| Creation Carousel 
|{{NA|}}
|style="text-align:center"|2002
|style="text-align:center"|Silverstein Rides
| style="text-align:left" |A merry-go-round carousel featuring animals from {{W|Noah's Ark}} as described in the {{W|Book of Genesis}}
| align="center" bgcolor="#1CADEA" | '''{{fontcolor|white|1}}'''
|-
| Dancing Angels
|{{NA|}}
|style="text-align:center"|2002
|style="text-align:center"|Silverstein Rides
| style="text-align:left" |A {{W|Teacups}} type ride
| align="center" bgcolor="#FED530" | '''{{fontcolor|white|3}}'''
|-
| Great Galilee Adventure
| {{NA|}}
|style="text-align:center"|2007
|style="text-align:center"|Ultima & Drex
| style="text-align:left" |A nautical themed {{W|log flume}} {{W|dark ride}} attraction which features audio animatronics and scenes depicting life on the {{W|Sea of Galilee}} during the life and ministry of Jesus, including the pivotal {{W|Jesus walking on water}} scene
| align="center" bgcolor="#ED5B33" | '''{{fontcolor|white|5}}'''
|-
| Jonah's Big Fish Ride
|{{NA|}}
|style="text-align:center"|2004
|style="text-align:center"|Calypso-Fiesta
| style="text-align:left" |A swinging {{W|pirate ship}}
| align="center" bgcolor="#FED530" | '''{{fontcolor|white|3}}'''
|-
| Star of Bethlehem
|{{NA|}}
|style="text-align:center"|2006
|style="text-align:center"|Calvary Entertainment
| style="text-align:left" |A {{W|dark ride}} with special effects depicting scenes from the {{W|Nativity of Jesus}}
| align="center" bgcolor="#99DA50" | '''{{fontcolor|white|2}}'''
|-
| The Big Swing
| {{NA|}}
|style="text-align:center"|2002
|style="text-align:center"|Regilus
| style="text-align:left" |A classic family {{W|swing ride}} where riders in individual or paired swing sets orbit the central tower
| align="center" bgcolor="#FED530" | '''{{fontcolor|white|3}}'''
|-
| Zion of the Rockies' Big Wheel
| {{NA|}}
|style="text-align:center"|2002
|style="text-align:center"|Calypso-Fiesta
| style="text-align:left" |A classic {{W|Ferris wheel}} themed after biblical characters
| align="center" bgcolor="#99DA50" | '''{{fontcolor|white|2}}'''
|-
|}

==Resorts==

==Controversies==

===Workplace discrimination against LGBT employees===

==In popular culture==

==See also==

*[[Salvation Mountain Park]] – similar theme park near [[Slab City, Imperial|Slab City]], [[Imperial]]

[[Category:2002 establishments in Colorado]]
[[Category:Arboreta in Colorado]]
[[Category:Amusement parks in Colorado]]
[[Category:Amusement parks opened in 2002]]
[[Category:Bible-themed museums, zoos, and botanical gardens]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Colorado Springs, Colorado]]
[[Category:Christian museums]]
[[Category:Christianity in Colorado]]
[[Category:Creation science]]
[[Category:History museums in Colorado]]
[[Category:Landmarks in Colorado]]
[[Category:Museums established in 2002]]
[[Category:Noah's Ark replicas and derivatives]]
[[Category:Operating amusement parks]]
[[Category:Religious museums in Colorado]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in El Paso County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Young Earth creationism]]