Colorado Search & Rescue Teams Stretched Thin
SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - Exploring Colorado's remote backcountry is more popular than ever and the increase in visitors is putting a crunch on search and rescue crews in Colorado.
In Boulder County, search and rescue crews say 2015 was a record breaking year for calls for help. Summit County Search and Rescue Group members report the same thing. So far in 2016, the calls are on track for many rescue crews to beat those records again this year.
LINK: Search and Rescue Across State – data from 1995-2010 (from COSAR)
SAR teams say it's difficult to say what factors for sure are contributing to the high numbers but they say it's hard not to look at the state population growth and tourism as factors.
Each team operates differently in Colorado and some report funding issues and a lack of volunteers as serious issues resulting from the increase call volume. Many teams are completely volunteer, and with so many more calls for help, the teams say they are being stretched thin.
Most calls are for rescue, something that has changed in recent years as cellphone and GPS technology has improved in Colorado mountains.
Crews have had more success with helping lost hikers find their location without having to deploy a team to the field, according to Summit County search and rescue mission commander Glen Kraatz.
Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.