Bowling, miniature golf and escape rooms are among the family-friendly activities that have returned to Pueblo West this summer with the opening of Copper River Family Entertainment on June 17.

The business, 395 S. Angus Ave., formerly operated as Bumperz and The GutterHouse under previous tenants but has recently returned to the “family-centered” roots that business owners Trinity and Cindy Smith first envisioned when constructing the building back in 2015.

Trinity Smith explained that some of the building’s previous tenants had issues with not following county codes and protocols and noted that COVID-19 pandemic restrictions made it difficult to run the business.

“It’s a new day,” he said. “We are going to be promoting much more family-centered events and will have a better culture and values so kids can get out with their parents.”

The Smiths have owned the property for several years but had no other involvement with its former tenants, so the business has “completely new operational management,” Smith said.

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One of the business's new features is an escape room that was born out of the Smiths’ love of visiting escape rooms across the state and country.

Smith said he, his wife and children have done “probably 50 escape rooms together” and noted that of the 11 groups who’ve taken on Copper River’s escape room so far, “only one has gotten out.”

Other attractions offered at the business include a variety of arcade games like Golden Tee, pool tables, dart boards and bowling lanes.

Outside, it features a 9-hole, Old West-themed miniature golf course where golfers can learn about Colorado’s 1859 gold rush as they play. At the end of the course is a sluice box where customers can learn to pan for hidden gems.

Th business has also added a grill, so there are new food items to try as well.

"We have burgers on the menu along with flatbread pizzas, salads, sandwiches, large baked potatoes and desserts,” Smith said.

Smith said he is sourcing home-baked buns from Schuster's and supporting other local small businesses and vendors for his supplies. The business employs 19 workers.

When Smith can get a liquor license, which he said is in the works, karaoke and open mic nights will be held each Thursday and live music featuring local and regional bands will be planned for Friday and Saturday nights. The adult activities will run from 9 p.m. to midnight.

The business’s current hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. The facility also is available to rent for birthday parties and other activities.

To learn more, visit copperriverpw.com.

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Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via Twitter at twitter.com/tracywumps.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo West gets new mini-golf, escape room and bowling facility