Carol Rowe, Nederland. The Carousel of Happiness in Nederland, Colorado, is happy to announce it will reopen for riders on Friday, June 12, 2020, following a three month pandemic closure. The Carousel of Happiness is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to inspire happiness, well-being and service to others through stories and experiences. Almost one million riders have found joy since the Carousel opened in 2010 and they are thrilled to be celebrating their 10th anniversary. 

Initially, the Carousel will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ride tickets will still cost only $2. The Carousel can also be reserved for groups of up to 9 people, call 303.258.3457 for availability and additional details. Please note, the Carousel hours may change in July based on ridership. 

The Carousel has implemented new health protocols for the safety of visitors. Chief among these is that all riders, ages three and up, are required to wear facemasks. Disposable masks are available for purchase at the ticket counter, if needed. 

Additional cleaning and sanitizing will be done throughout the Carousel facility for the protection of visitors, with high-touch surfaces on the carousel being sanitized every two hours. Riders will be provided with hand sanitizer before and after riding, and sanitizer will be available in the gift shop. Employee health will be monitored with daily temperature checks and visitors are asked to stay home if they believe they are ill. 

A new, one-way traffic flow also has been established. After purchasing tickets outside at the front window, visitors will be directed to the back patio where they will enter the Carousel house when their group is called. The number of visitors allowed to ride the Carousel will be limited to nine at a time, per Colorado’s statewide limit on gatherings. Riders will be socially distanced through the use of empty rows between people in different households. After riding, visitors will exit through the re-configured gift shop to allow the next group of riders to enter. The Carousel’s second-floor is off limits to visitors at this time, however, and the Story Catcher recording booth will be accessible by appointment only. 

The Carousel’s reopening plans were approved under state, county and local rules. Check out their website at www.carouselofhappiness.org or call (303) 258-3457 for more information.

(Originally published in the June 11, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)