[12] The park had a grand reopening in May 2015 with new gondolas and a new zip-line crossing the gorge on the east side of the bridge.

[7] The project was financed by Lon P. Piper, president of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Amusement Company of San Antonio, Texas.

Piper hired George E. Cole as the Chief Engineer and the bridge was completed in about six months with no deaths or serious injuries.

Piper agreed to a twenty-year lease of the gorge and surrounding land, which is owned by Cañon City, paying a $1,000 yearly fee (equivalent to $14,000 in 2023 dollars) to the city, with a reduced fee of $500 (equivalent to $7,000 in 2023 dollars) in some years of hardship.

[7] In 1947, after struggling for many years through the Great Depression and World War II, Piper sold the bridge and leasing rights to a group of local Colorado businessmen and Clint Murchison, a Texan who made a fortune in oil, gas, and real estate.

A long-time employee of the park stated that Murchison, who died in 1969, never visited the bridge he had bought, even after he became the sole owner.

[7] In the 1950s, a lodge was built by the gorge and the Silver Rock Railway 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge train with a Chance Rides miniature C.P.

[7] In 1956, Murchison and his Royal Gorge Bridge Company based in Dallas agreed to pay the city a percentage of its revenue instead of the $1,000 yearly fee for the lease.

The percentage arrangement has proven very favorable for the city in the ensuing years, allowing it to lower property taxes significantly.

[7] In 1967, an open bid was held for the leasing rights with several companies expressing interest in the acquisition.

[4] In 1984, Leisure and Recreational Concepts, a Dallas-based company, was hired by Murchison to oversee operations at Royal Gorge Bridge and Park.

In January 1999, Fehr placed a bid to purchase the entire concession from the city, since the operating company's lease was due to expire in 2001.

When the bid was declined without consideration, Fehr decided to increase the fee for the air rights to $750,000 a year.

[11] On October 5, 2003, while performing a proximity demonstration, wingsuiter Dwain Weston was killed attempting to fly over the bridge.

Misjudging his distance from the bridge, Weston struck a railing while traveling an estimated 120 mph, severing his leg at the hip.

As a result of the larger than normal costs incurred in retrieving the bodies, Cañon City was billed by the Royal Gorge Express LLC — owners of the railroad that runs below the bridge — for $5,025 for use of specialized equipment and qualified personnel in the recoveries.

[15] Attractions that have been refurbished or rebuilt since the fire include a visitor center with an observation deck, a water clock, gondolas to replace the aerial trams, Plaza Theater and Historical Expo, Children's Playland,[29] and the original Royal Rush Skycoaster.

[29] In January 2016, the Royal Gorge Company of Colorado paid the city a record high $2.1 million lease payment.

[31] For the 2013 season the city was paid $1.68 million by the park's operating company, mostly from business continuation insurance.