The Colorado National Guard has joined the search for three hunters lost since Saturday in the Flat Tops Wilderness area.
The search is concentrated in the northeastern part of the county where 22 searchers spent the day scouring the area on snowmobiles. The Colorado National Guard this afternoon launched a helicopter to begin looking from above the area.
According to Tanny McGinnis, spokeswoman for the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, a party of five hunters from metro Denver left camp on Saturday morning but three did not return that evening.
The two hunters who returned to the camp searched all day Sunday and notified law enforcement of their missing colleagues Sunday night.
Because of the snowstorm moving into the area, officials could not launch a search until 6 a.m. Monday.
The searchers, on foot and using four-wheelers and snowmobiles, combed the area until 5:30 p.m. Monday, when the search was suspended because of heavy snow and high winds.
McGinnis said that the search today is again being carried out despite heavy snow and high winds.
Searchers are asking that anyone who may have come in contact with the lost hunters, or comes in contact with them, to immediately call 911.
McGinnis said that authorities have contacted various helicopter services, hoping that there may be a break in the clouds so helicopters can be launched to join in the search.
McGinnis said the sheriff’s office and Garfield County Search & rescue are reminding people going into the backcountry to be prepared for winter conditions with proper gear such as GPS, warm clothing, fire starter and adequate food and water.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
