Colorado Search and Rescue: Who Leads & How to Request Help

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Colorado Search and Rescue

Who leads searches in Colorado, how agencies request state help, and the resources behind them. Verified items link to their source. Reviewed October 2026.

Emergency: call 911. State 24-hour contact: State of Colorado Emergency Operations line 303-279-8855 (DHSEM). How a state request works ↓

Requesting state help in Colorado

The county sheriff is the official responsible for coordinating all search and rescue in the sheriff's jurisdiction, and asks the state for help only when the sheriff decides it is needed (C.R.S. § 24-33.5-707(10)).

State 24-hour contactState of Colorado Emergency Operations line 303-279-8855 (DHSEM).
Requesting state resourcesThe sheriff uses the county's own SAR team and resources first (C.R.S. § 24-33.5-707(10)(b)). In 2026 the state moved 24-hour statewide SAR coordination from the Colorado Search and Rescue Association's volunteer coordinators to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (under an interagency agreement with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management effective August 1, 2026).

Want to write the request out before you call? Use the request builder. Official agency: CPW Backcountry SAR ↗.

Key numbers

Only figures with a published source.

64counties

U.S. Census Bureau boundaries.

U.S. Census Bureau ↗

18Discipline directories

BluePrintSAR resource pages for Colorado (below).

How search and rescue is requested in Colorado

Step 1In an emergency call 911. Agencies needing SAR call the sheriff's office of the county where the person is missing; the sheriff coordinates all SAR there.
Step 2The sheriff uses the county's own SAR team and resources first (C.R.S. § 24-33.5-707(10)(b)). In 2026 the state moved 24-hour statewide SAR coordination from the Colorado Search and Rescue Association's volunteer coordinators to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (under an interagency agreement with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management effective August 1, 2026).
Step 3If more is needed, the sheriff asks the state. Since August 1, 2026, CPW coordinates additional statewide backcountry SAR support on a sheriff's request (officers, drones, K-9s, aircraft). The State of Colorado Emergency Operations line is 303-279-8855.
Step 4The sheriff keeps command. Afterward the sheriff can certify an incident reimbursement request to CPW's BSAR fund within 60 days.

Law and authority

C.R.S. § 24-33.5-707(10) and (11)

Each sheriff is responsible for coordinating all SAR in the jurisdiction, must use county resources first, requests help from the state office of emergency management only when needed. SAR emergency costs may be reimbursed from the state disaster emergency fund when authorized by the governor.

Read the source ↗

C.R.S. § 33-1-112.5 (Backcountry Search and Rescue Fund)

Fund run by CPW since January 1, 2023 (formerly the Department of Local Affairs). Paid for by surcharges on hunting and fishing licenses and boat, snowmobile and OHV registrations, plus CORSAR card sales. Reimburses SAR operating costs (not regular staff salaries); requests are certified by the sheriff.

Read the source ↗

C.R.S. § 8-40-202(1)(a)(I)(A)

Members of volunteer rescue teams and volunteer search teams of a county, city or district are treated as employees for workers' compensation while performing those duties; so are persons called into a sheriff's posse.

Read the source ↗

SB21-245, Backcountry Search and Rescue in Colorado

Directed CPW to study and redesign the statewide backcountry SAR program.

Read the source ↗

State plans and guidelines

Official plans, annexes and program documents for Colorado.

Colorado State Emergency Operations Plan ↗ — DHSEM page for the state EOP and its emergency support function annexes.

Resources by discipline

What each resource does, how it is requested in Colorado, and the standards that apply.

Listed in BluePrintSAR directories for Colorado

Loading counts…

Counts are directory category listings, not unique organizations, personnel or available assets. Informational canine placeholders are excluded. Organizations can appear in several categories; canine specialty subtotals can overlap.

Show

Aviation (HAATS / Military / Civ)

Colorado Army National Guard Black Hawks and Lakotas from Gypsum and Buckley fly the Colorado Hoist Rescue Team for sheriffs, requested through statewide SAR coordination (under Colorado Parks and Wildlife since August 1, 2026) and the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center; state fire helicopters and Civil Air Patrol add search capacity.

How to request

In Colorado, aircraft are requested by the agency running the search.

Standards and policy

There is no Colorado statute or published standard for SAR aircrew qualifications. Guard crews train in dynamic litter hoist operations and at HAATS in high-altitude power management, and civilian hoist technicians come from four Colorado Hoist Rescue Team mountain rescue groups; from August 2026 Colorado Parks and Wildlife is responsible for setting volunteer SAR training and credentialing standards.

Colorado Aviation (HAATS / Military / Civ) directory

Canine (K9)

Volunteer search dog groups and sheriff-supported teams; no state certification, groups certify their own teams

How to request

In Colorado the county sheriff coordinates search and rescue (CRS 24-33.5-707) and requests state assistance only when county resources aren't enough.

Standards and policy

Colorado does not issue or require SAR dog certification. Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado (SARDOC) describes itself as the oldest search dog certification agency in the state, and other teams use FEMA certification or their own standards.

Colorado Canine (K9) directory

Cave & Mine Rescue

Volunteer specialists

Specialists for rescues in caves and mines, where rope work, tight passages and communications make ordinary rescue methods hard.

Who provides it in Colorado

Cave rescuers serve on local rescue squads and cave rescue groups. The National Cave Rescue Commission (part of the National Speleological Society) trains them and tracks cave rescue resources and specialized equipment. Colorado is in the NCRC Rocky Mountain Region. Accidents at working mines fall under the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

How to request

Call 911. The agency with jurisdiction requests cave rescuers and can reach the NCRC regional coordinator listed on the NCRC staff page. Report an accident at a working mine to MSHA at 1-800-746-1553.

Standards and policy

NCRC national cave rescue curriculum: Orientation to Cave Rescue, Level 1 Team Member and Level 2 Team Leader.

Colorado Cave & Mine Rescue directory NCRC about ↗ NCRC regional coordinators ↗ MSHA emergency contact ↗

Cell Phone Forensics

Kelsey Smith Act law: yes (2013). 6 agencies and resources listed. All checked against official sources.

How to request

In Colorado, only the law enforcement agency running the search can ask a carrier for a phone's location.

Standards and policy

There is no single national certification for cell phone analysis in searches; agencies and labs set their own training requirements.

Colorado Cell Phone Forensics directory

Coast Guard

Coast Guard district and 1 sector covering Colorado, plus 9 stations, local and volunteer units. All checked against a cited source.

How to request

In Colorado, call 911 or VHF-FM Channel 16 for a maritime emergency.

Standards and policy

Coast Guard and Auxiliary crews qualify under Coast Guard training programs; local marine units follow the standards their agency sets.

Colorado Coast Guard directory

Communication

National SAR and interoperability channels from the NIFOG, plus 5 state, local and volunteer radio systems and groups. All checked against official sources.

How to request

In Colorado, the agency running the search sets the radio plan.

Standards and policy

Communications unit leaders (COML) and technicians (COMT) train through CISA courses and state credentialing; volunteers hold FCC amateur licenses.

Colorado Communication directory

Dive & Underwater

6 public safety and volunteer dive teams listed, each checked against a published source in November 2026.

How to request

In Colorado, start with the agency running the search.

Standards and policy

Public safety dive teams commonly train to NFPA 1006 (technical rescue personnel qualifications), which covers dive rescue; each team’s sponsoring agency sets its own certification requirements.

Colorado Dive & Underwater directory

Drone / UAS

State drone law: C.R.S. 18-8-104. 8 agency and volunteer drone teams listed; each card says how and when it was checked.

How to request

In Colorado, drone teams are requested by the agency running the search.

Standards and policy

Part 107 pilots complete FAA recurrent training every 24 months; agency programs set their own proficiency standards.

Colorado Drone / UAS directory

Sheriff / Law Enforcement

How to request

In an emergency call 911. Agencies needing SAR call the sheriff's office of the county where the person is missing; the sheriff coordinates all SAR there.

Standards and policy

No state-issued SAR certification required by law. Each sheriff and team sets member standards; Colorado Parks and Wildlife is responsible for statewide volunteer training and credentialing standards under the interagency agreement that took effect August 1, 2026.

Colorado Sheriff / Law Enforcement directory

Mantracking

Trackers who find and follow a missing person’s footprints and other sign on the ground.

How to request

The agency running the search requests trackers, usually alongside ground search teams; see who leads searches above.

Standards and policy

ASTM F2852, Standard Practice for Training a Land Search Tracker, sets minimum training for trackers supporting a land search. FEMA’s NIMS resource typing defines a Land Search and Rescue (SAR) Team (8-508-1173).

Colorado Mantracking directory ASTM F2852 (tracker training) ↗ FEMA Land SAR Team definition ↗

Marine & Boating Law Enforcement

State boating agency

Officers and boats on lakes, rivers and coastal waters who respond to boating emergencies and support water searches.

Who provides it in Colorado

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators lists Colorado Parks & Wildlife as Colorado’s boating law agency (boating safety, enforcement and registration).

How to request

Call 911 for a water emergency; the agency with jurisdiction requests marine units through dispatch.

Standards and policy

State boating laws. NASBLA promotes uniform state boating laws and their enforcement (U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division).

Colorado Marine / Surface Water directory Colorado Parks & Wildlife ↗ NASBLA Colorado boating contacts ↗ State boating laws (USCG Boating Safety) ↗

National Guard

Governor-activated

Military helicopters and personnel for hoist rescue, aerial search and ground support when civilian resources can’t do the job.

Who provides it in Colorado

The Colorado National Guard (Army and Air), activated in state status by the Governor.

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests it through Colorado DHSEM. NWCG’s helicopter extraction list directs 911 and dispatch centers to coordinate requests for military, Coast Guard and National Guard aircraft through the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at 800-851-3051.

Standards and policy

State active duty under the Governor’s authority; Guard aircraft used for SAR are coordinated with the rescue coordination center.

Colorado National Guard directory Colorado National Guard (official) ↗ State Guard websites (National Guard Bureau) ↗ Colorado DHSEM ↗ Helicopter extraction source list (NWCG PMS 512) ↗

State Parks

State agency

The state park system, whose staff know park terrain and trails and support searches on park land.

Who provides it in Colorado

Colorado State Parks.

How to request

For an emergency in a park, call 911. Park staff support the agency with jurisdiction; see who leads searches at the top of this page.

Standards and policy

Park rules and staff authority are set by the state park agency; see its website.

Colorado State Parks & Wildlife directory Colorado State Parks (official) ↗ State park directory (America’s State Parks) ↗

Swiftwater & Flood Rescue

Teams that search for and rescue people and animals in swiftwater and floods, from shore and by boat.

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests water rescue through 911 dispatch. When local teams are exceeded, help is requested through Colorado DHSEM.

Standards and policy

FEMA’s NIMS resource typing defines a Swiftwater/Flood Search and Rescue Team (8-508-1020).

Colorado Swiftwater directory FEMA Swiftwater/Flood SAR Team definition ↗ Colorado DHSEM ↗

Technical Mountain Rescue

MRA teams listed

Teams for steep, high-angle and alpine terrain that use rope systems to reach and evacuate people.

Who provides it in Colorado

Mountain Rescue Association member teams based in Colorado: Alpine Rescue Team; Chaffee County SAR North; Douglas County Search & Rescue; El Paso County Search & Rescue; Fremont Search & Rescue; Grand County Search and Rescue; Larimer County Search & Rescue; Mountain Rescue Aspen; Park County Search & Rescue; Rocky Mountain Rescue Group; Summit County Rescue Group; Vail Mountain Rescue Group; Western Mountain Rescue Team. Associate members: Crested Butte Search & Rescue (called out by the Mount Crested Butte Police Department in 2022; works alongside Gunnison County Sheriff’s deputies, Crested Butte News); Garfield County Search & Rescue; Mesa County SAR.

How to request

The agency with jurisdiction requests the team, usually through 911 dispatch; see who leads searches above. Help from outside the county is requested by the sheriff through statewide SAR coordination, run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife under authority delegated by DHSEM since August 1, 2026.

Standards and policy

FEMA’s NIMS resource typing defines a Mountain Search and Rescue Team (8-508-1171). The MRA lists member teams by region with their membership status.

Colorado Technical Mountain Rescue (MRA) directory MRA Rocky Mountain Region teams ↗ FEMA Mountain SAR Team definition ↗

USAR (FEMA Task Force)

One FEMA task force is based here (CO-TF1).

How to request

In Colorado, US&R teams are requested by the agency in charge of the incident, through the state emergency management agency when local resources run short.

Standards and policy

FEMA task forces train to FEMA and NFPA standards; state and regional teams follow the standards their sponsor sets.

Colorado USAR (FEMA Task Force) directory

Federal lands (Forest Service and National Park Service)

Federal land manager

Federal land agencies whose staff support searches on national forests, grasslands and parks.

Who provides it in Colorado

National forests and grasslands in Colorado on the Forest Service’s list: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests & Pawnee National Grassland; Comanche National Grassland; Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests; Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland; Pike-San Isabel National Forests; Rio Grande National Forest; San Juan National Forest; White River National Forest. The National Park Service lists 17 park sites in Colorado.

How to request

Searches on national forest land are led by the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction (in most states, the county sheriff), with the Forest Service supporting under cooperative agreements. In a national park, call 911 or the park’s emergency line; the NPS will make reasonable efforts to search for lost persons, using its own staff or partner SAR organizations under formal agreements.

Standards and policy

NPS Management Policies 2006, §8.2.5.3: SAR runs under the Incident Command System and visitors are not charged for it.

Colorado Federal Lands (USFS / NPS) directory NPS sites in Colorado ↗ Forest Service units by state ↗ USDA testimony on sheriff SAR agreements ↗ NPS SAR policy excerpt ↗

UTV & ATV Units

Off-road vehicles, including UTVs, ATVs and e-bikes, that move searchers and equipment and carry out injured people over rough trails.

How to request

The agency running the search requests vehicle units; see who leads searches above.

Standards and policy

FEMA’s NIMS resource typing defines a Land Search and Rescue (SAR) Team (8-508-1173).

Colorado UTV & ATV / Snowmachines directory FEMA Land SAR Team definition ↗

64-county directory

Each county and its sheriff’s office. Who leads a search varies by state; see the top of this page. For an emergency, call 911.

Published contact numbers for all 64 counties were compared with agency, county, rescue-team or County Sheriffs of Colorado pages on October 24, 2026. “Contact source” links support these contact details. Office numbers are not necessarily 24-hour dispatch lines.

Jurisdiction	Agency	Phone
Adams County	Adams County Sheriff’s Office	(303) 654-1850 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Alamosa County	Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 589-6608 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Arapahoe County	Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office	(720) 874-3600 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Archuleta County	Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 264-8300 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Baca County	Baca County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 523-4511 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Bent County	Bent County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 456-0796 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Boulder County	Boulder County Sheriff’s Office	(303) 441-4444 sheriff non-emergency dispatch · Contact source
Broomfield County	Broomfield Police Department	(303) 438-6400 police non-emergency · Contact source
Chaffee County	Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 539-2596 sheriff’s office non-emergency line · Contact source
Cheyenne County	Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 767-5633 sheriff’s office line · Contact source (Sheriff’s Office report, April 2026; county website offline)
Clear Creek County	Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office	(303) 679-2376 sheriff’s office front desk · Contact source
Conejos County	Conejos County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 376-2196 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Costilla County	Costilla County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 672-0673 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Crowley County	Crowley County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 267-5555, ext. 2 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Custer County	Custer County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 783-2270 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Delta County	Delta County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 874-2000 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Denver County	Denver Police Department	(720) 913-2000 police non-emergency · Contact source
Dolores County	Dolores County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 677-2257 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Douglas County	Douglas County Sheriff’s Office	(303) 660-7505 main / non-emergency line; press 1 for dispatch · Contact source
Eagle County	Eagle County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 328-8500 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
El Paso County	El Paso County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 520-7100 sheriff’s office general operations line · Contact source
Elbert County	Elbert County Sheriff’s Office	(303) 621-2027 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Fremont County	Fremont County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 276-5555 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Garfield County	Garfield County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 945-0453 sheriff’s office non-emergency / main office line · Contact source
Gilpin County	Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office	(303) 582-5511 sheriff’s dispatch line · Contact source
Grand County	Grand County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 725-3343 sheriff’s office main office line · Contact source
Gunnison County	Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 641-1113 sheriff’s office line; weekday office hours · Contact source
Hinsdale County	Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 944-2291 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Huerfano County	Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 738-1600 sheriff’s office line (non-emergency dispatch: 719-738-1044) · Contact source
Jackson County	Jackson County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 723-4242 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Jefferson County	Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office	(303) 980-7300 Jeffcom non-emergency dispatch · Contact source
Kiowa County	Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 438-5411 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Kit Carson County	Kit Carson County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 346-8934 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
La Plata County	La Plata County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 247-1157 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Lake County	Lake County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 486-1249 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Larimer County	Larimer County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 498-5100 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Las Animas County	Las Animas County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 846-2211 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Lincoln County	Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 743-2846 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Logan County	Logan County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 522-2578 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Mesa County	Mesa County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 242-6707 non-emergency dispatch · Contact source
Mineral County	Mineral County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 658-2600 sheriff’s office, normal office hours; non-emergency dispatch: 719-589-5807 · Contact source
Moffat County	Moffat County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 824-4495 sheriff’s front office · Contact source
Montezuma County	Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 565-8452 sheriff’s office main line · Contact source
Montrose County	Montrose County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 252-4023 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Morgan County	Morgan County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 542-3445 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Otero County	Otero County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 384-5941 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Ouray County	Ouray County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 325-7272 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Park County	Park County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 836-2494 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Phillips County	Phillips County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 854-3644 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Pitkin County	Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 920-5300 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Prowers County	Prowers County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 336-8050 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Pueblo County	Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 583-6125 main sheriff’s office · Contact source
Rio Blanco County	Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 878-9600 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Rio Grande County	Rio Grande County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 657-4000 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Routt County	Routt County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 870-5502 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Saguache County	Saguache County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 655-2544 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
San Juan County	San Juan County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 387-5531 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
San Miguel County	San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 728-1911 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source
Sedgwick County	Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 474-3355 sheriff’s office line (county website) · Contact source
Summit County	Summit County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 453-2232 sheriff’s office line (non-emergency dispatch 970-668-8600) · Contact source
Teller County	Teller County Sheriff’s Office	(719) 687-9652 main and non-emergency line · Contact source
Washington County	Washington County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 345-2244 sheriff’s office line · Contact source
Weld County	Weld County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 350-9600 dispatch non-emergency (main 970-356-4015) · Contact source
Yuma County	Yuma County Sheriff’s Office	(970) 332-4805 sheriff’s office contact, County Sheriffs of Colorado directory · Contact source

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Colorado State SAR