Colorado water park evacuated after threat
Swimmers at a metro Denver water park were asked to leave the establishment shortly after noon Saturday. The park closed for the day and the property was searched by police.
Cmdr. Jason Schlenker of the Federal Heights Police Department told CBS Colorado the department investigated an unverified bomb threat at Water World located at 88th Avenue and Pecos Street.
"It sounded like a robotic voice that said there was a bomb in the park," according to the Water World staffer who answered the phone, Schlenker told reporters afterward. "It repeated the message twice."
Schlenker said FHPD investigators are trying to determine the source of the today's call, but that effort may require the help of federal agencies.
"It's definitely an all-hands-on-deck situation when something like this happens," Water World spokesperson Kellie Flowers said. She said announcements were made to the 4,000 people in attendance over the park's public address system.
Parents were instructed to pick up their kids at Camenisch Park, next to the water park. Employees reunited at a separate location, per Flowers.
Later, police officers were seen leading police dogs through Water World's main gates to begin a search. Schlenker said the detection dogs came from several outside police agencies. The dog teams were alternated due to the day's high temperatures.
Three hours after the closure, Federal Heights PD posted on social media that nothing of concern was found during the search and no threat existed.
Water World responded with thanks to its customers for the quick and orderly evacuation, and arranged for the retrieval of belongings left behind. For this, customers were asked to come to the 90th Avenue entrance with their ticket from today's visit beginning at 4pm. After 7 p.m., park goers would need to come back Sunday to get their things.
The water park is planning to release details about re-issuing tickets to today's customers soon, Flowers said.
Water World opened at its current location in 1979. It is scheduled to open a new section called Sunshine Canyon on Thursday.
