In 1999, Steve and Jeanne Beckley, who own the land the cave is on, reopened the cave to the public after restoration work. The caverns were accessed by bus, using a small building next to the Hotel Colorado as a base. In 2002, the Beckleys gained approval to build a massive expansion. The centerpiece would be a pulse gondola built by Poma and a visitor center at the top of the mountain that included a restaurant. The tramway would allow year-round access to the caverns. A large sluice box and gift shop were also available to the public. The expansion proved to be a massive success, attracting 150,000 people before the one-year anniversary.
