Garfield County Search and Rescue saves lives. When a loved one is missing in the backcountry a 911 call is our frequent call to action and a team of our volunteers is the best hope for a safe return. 100% of all contributions go directly to GCSAR program services.
Garfield County Emergency Communications Center, June 12, 2023, 11:00 AM: At approximately 9:00 PM on Sunday June 11, 2023, the Garfield County Sheriff's Office (GCSO) received a message relayed through Vail Search and Rescue about a missing three year-old girl near the Coffee Pot Springs Campground, located North of Dotsero in rural Garfield County. By that time the three year-old girl had been missing for almost an hour. The reporting party was texting for help from the intersection of Forest Road 600 and 622/623 as cell sites in that area are limited. The reporting party reported having turned away from the child for only five minutes, then realized she was no longer present. The GCSO was considering the possibility the child had been taken by a mountain lion. Deputies were immediately dispatched from the GCSO. The Eagle County Sheriff's Office was contacted with a request for aid due to their closer proximity to the site, near the Eagle/Garfield County border. Garfield County Search and Rescue (GCSAR) was contacted to mobilize a search. GCSAR assembled at their equipment barn in Rifle with eight team members and a K9 tracking dog then headed to the site. Meanwhile a Classic Air helicopter team was activated to fly to the area. They were the first to locate the family's vehicle from the air. The reporting party had been instructed to leave their vehicle running with the lights on so the site could be identified from the air. The GCSAR team with multiple personnel and K9 reached the area and began the search. By 1:50 AM on Monday, June 12, 2023 GCSAR reported having found the three year-old child who from initial appearance appeared to be unharmed. GCSO deputies on site transported the child to Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs for evaluation. Following that the child was safely returned to her family.
Garfield County Search and Rescue is the search and rescue resource for Garfield County, Colorado. Our mission is to find the lost, rescue the stranded and injured, recover the deceased, and educate the public on wilderness and mountain safety. Our dedication extends to public education where the focus is preventing the types of incidents we are called on, especially those involving children.
Garfield County Search and Rescue was formed in the early 1970s by a progression of events that brought groups of people together in a common cause to help those in need in the backcountry. In response to the fast growing population and increasing public outdoor recreation including cross country skiing and snowmobiling, hunting and river sports, the need for an organized search and rescue organization was recognized. The GCSAR was first incorporated in 1974 and re-incorporated as a 501 c 3 Colorado nonprofit corporation in 1999. The GCSAR now operates under a long-term special agency contract with the Garfield County Sheriff's Office.
Organization name
Garfield County Search and Rescue, Inc.
other names
GCSAR
1975
Tax id (EIN)
84-6121053
Category
Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
3140 Airport Road RifleMailing
P.O. Box 1116 Glenwood SpringsGarfield County, CO, US