The families of two New Mexico men who have been missing in the Colorado mountains for days are worried that searchers may abandon their efforts.
Michael George and Kyle Kerschen, both 27 and from Albuquerque, have been missing since Saturday from the Wolf Creek Ski Area.
The San Juan Mountains have been pounded with winter weather since the men disappeared, and search efforts have been hampered by heavy snows and wind.
In an e-mail to the media, the families of the two missing men urged Colorado and New Mexico authorities to continue their efforts.
“While weather has presented the biggest challenge thus far, we strongly believe that a continued joint search-and-rescue effort, on the ground and in the air (weather permitting), will yield more conclusive results,” the e-mail, signed by the men’s parents, said. “We implore county and state agencies from both states to please continue the effort of finding our loved ones.”
Gilbert Gallegos, director of communications for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, said his office has contacted Gov. Bill Ritter’s office in an effort to extend the search at least another 36 hours.
Ritter presented his State of the State speech at the Capitol today, and his office had not yet responded to the request from New Mexico.
The search is ongoing today. Mineral County Sheriff Fred Hosselkaus was airborne in a helicopter this morning. Searchers also were on the ground using snowmobiles and skis.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
