Everyone spending any time in the Colorado backcountry this winter should do the world a favor and drop three bills on a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card. For the price of a Taco Bell burrito, backcountry skiers can contribute to the state’s Search and Rescue Fund, which reimburses volunteer search and rescue teams for the costs incurred should you require their services. The cards do not qualify as insurance and do not cover the cost of medical transport via helicopter or ground ambulance. But if aircraft is used as a search vehicle, the cost is reimbursed by the fund. Funds remaining at the end of the year are used to help pay for training and equipment for the teams. Cards are available at more than 300 retailers for $3 for one year or $12 for five years. Anyone with a current (as in 2009) hunting/fishing license or boat, snowmobile or ATV registration already is covered by the fund.
Get it: over the phone at 970-248-7310 or online at https://dola.colorado.gov/corsar_order/order. A list of vendors is available at https://dola.colorado.gov/corsar_order/vendors.
