The roller coaster opened in 1999 as Firestorm at Celebration City in Branson, Missouri.
[2][3][4] Competing against Elitch Gardens in Denver and Six Flags Darien Lake in Buffalo, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park secured the winning bid to purchase Thunderbolt for $375,000.
[4] On February 20, 2012, park administration went before the Garfield Board of County Commissioners to discuss plans of adding several new attractions.
[1][6] Cliffhanger opened on June 15, 2012, and became the highest-elevation roller coaster in the U.S., sitting 7,160 feet (2,180 m) above sea level on Iron Mountain.
[1] The coaster is situated on a hillside overlooking Glenwood Canyon with views of the Colorado River more than 1,400 feet (430 m) below.