Colorado

Canadian hiker who went missing in Colorado wilderness, rescued after 4 days – Times of India

Published

2 years ago

August 19, 2024

A hiker who left a spiritual retreat for a solo hike on Wednesday has been found safe after four days in southwest Colorado. Gina Chase, 53, from Victoria, Canada, was located on Saturday in the targeted search area near Lone Cone, Colorado, approximately 60 miles southwest of Telluride, according to the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office.

undefined

Successful search and rescue operation
“Obviously, this is the outcome we were all hoping for, and we couldn’t be happier for Chase and her family,” said San Miguel County Sheriff Bill Masters in a statement.“The ultimate success of this mission is a real testament to our responders’ tenacity, perseverance, and dedication.”
Chase was part of a group on a retreat and departed on a solo journey around 11 am Wednesday. Group leaders discouraged participants from bringing cell phones on the solo hikes.
In addition, members were advised to fast “to maximize their experience with nature” before embarking on their quests.
Safety concerns highlighted by authorities
Chase was reported missing early Thursday afternoon when a group leader realised she had not returned to camp and could not be located.
“You should always bring technology for communications,” said Masters. “Furthermore, you should not starve yourself even if a ‘guide’ service suggests the opposite of these basic safety rules. Nature does not care about your safety and will kill you, especially if [you] are not properly prepared.”
The event was organised by the Animas Valley Institute, a business based in Durango, Colorado. Founded in 1980, the group promotes “a rich assortment of guided immersions into the mysteries of nature and psyche, including Soulcraft intensives, contemporary vision fasts, and training programs for nature-based soul guides” on its website.
Institute’s statement and commitment to safety
The group released a statement on its website that read in part: “The Animas Valley Institute has run backcountry programs in Colorado since 1980 with no serious incidents. The safety of our participants remains our highest priority. We have been in direct contact with the participant’s family during this immensely difficult time and remain committed to supporting them over the coming days and weeks.”

Source link

Click to comment

Colorado

Suddenly hazy skies in Denver prompt some residents concerned about wildfire smoke to call 911

Published

12 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Suddenly hazy skies in Denver prompt some residents concerned about wildfire smoke to call 911

Updated on: March 26, 2026 / 4:38 PM MDT
/ CBS Colorado

Some people who live in the Denver metro area on Thursday afternoon were making calls to 911 after skies became noticeably hazy and winds kicked up. It was due to smoke from wildfires in Nebraska moving into Colorado. A cold front also was moving through the Front Range, and there is dust in the air.

CBS

The poor air conditions led to reduced visibility downtown after 3 p.m. Several of CBS Colorado’s City Cams showed dust or smoke in the air.

Temperatures were expected to drop by as much as 20 to 30 degrees with the cold front.

The suddenly dusty skies prompted at least one fire agency to put out a plea to residents to please only call 911 “if you see flames.” That warning was put out by South Metro Fire Rescue, which shared a photo on X of an office building with haze visible outside.

South Metro Fire Rescue said in their post that the smoke is from Colorado’s neighbor to the east. They called it a “significant haze” in the air.

Earlier this month, the Morrill Fire and the Cottonwood Fire burned a significant amount of Nebraska grassland and ranchland. They have mostly been contained by firefighters. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said those two fires combined with several others have burned approximately 800,000 acres of land. On Thursday, Pillen announced that he is signing several executive actions intended to ease the burden caused by the fires.

There were no wildfires burning in the Denver metro area on Thursday afternoon.

Source link

Colorado

Colorado homicide suspect wanted in fentanyl-related death arrested in Colombia

Published

24 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Colorado homicide suspect wanted in fentanyl-related death arrested in Colombia

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) – A homicide suspect based out of Colorado, wanted in a fentanyl-related death, is back in the state after being captured in Colombia.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) said 33-year-old Max Arsenault had been on the run since January 17.

Deputies said this stemmed from an incident in May 2023, where deputies responded to a call for a man named Nicholas Dorotik, who was found unresponsive.

ACSO said the cause of death was a mixed drug overdose involving meth and fentanyl, having about three times the lethal amount of fentanyl in his system.

One year later, Arsenault was arrested. He was scheduled for trial in January 2026 when deputies said he fled the country while on bond three days before the trial was set to start.

He was caught in Medellin, Colombia, on March 4, following a two-month international investigation. He has since been extradited back to Denver, where he is facing charges and awaiting trial.

Source link

Colorado

Man found dead in Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Published

1 day ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

Man found dead in Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison

A deceased male was found at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on the morning of March 24, according to the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office. Upon arriving at the scene around 8:40 a.m., deputies talked with possible witnesses and determined that a deceased male was located in the canyon. The man’s body was below […]

Source link