State pauses search for new SAR coordinator to review sheriff-led option

The state of Colorado has paused its search for a new third-party coordinator to manage large-scale backcountry search and rescue missions. This halt follows a proposal from the County Sheriffs of Colorado to place a sheriff in charge of coordinating multiagency operations. The decision allows time for stakeholders to evaluate the new structure before finalizing a permanent plan.

In a letter dated Sept. 29, Amy Nichols of the County Sheriffs of Colorado asked Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Laura Clellan to suspend the ongoing request for proposals. Nichols stated that sheriffs had significant concerns about handing management of complex operations to a nongovernmental third party. She argued that such a shift risked fracturing local coordination and creating friction with established sheriff authority.

The proposal to use a sheriff as the statewide coordinator originated with Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen. His office maintains specialized units, including a backcountry search and rescue team, the Diamond Peaks Ski Patrol on Cameron Pass, a dive rescue team, and a wildland firefighting crew. Feyen noted that several large sheriff’s offices possess the infrastructure and capability to manage these complex missions.

To maintain operations during this review period, the state renewed a canceled agreement with the Colorado Search and Rescue Association. Jim Burack, acting director of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, sent a note on Oct. 20 confirming the one-year extension. This renewal keeps the association’s 53-year-old coordination role in place through September of next year. Burack described the extension as a measure to provide space for intensive stakeholder conversations.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Bridget O’Rourke called the extension a temporary measure to ensure operational stability. She confirmed that a working group will form to review the sheriff proposal and develop a framework for future operations. This group will include representatives from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the County Sheriffs of Colorado, the Colorado National Guard, and the Colorado Search and Rescue Association.

The initial plan announced in March would have shifted coordination directly to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, effectively removing the volunteer-led association from its traditional role. That agreement was set to begin on Aug. 1 and run through July 2031. It would have given the state agency oversight of training and credentialing for the state’s more than 3,000 search and rescue volunteers.

Volunteers continue to conduct record-breaking missions despite the administrative changes. This year, Colorado search and rescue volunteers have performed more than 50 hoist rescues with the Colorado National Guard. Last year, the Guard conducted 36 missions, flying helicopters for 96 hours to save 37 lives. Currently, coordinators from the association work eight, three-day, round-the-clock shifts each year to manage these operations.

Sheriff Feyen emphasized that cross-jurisdictional cooperation is already common among law enforcement agencies. He cited his frequent collaboration with neighboring sheriffs during wildfires as a model for search and rescue. He stated that he wants to ensure the voice of Colorado sheriffs is represented in all future discussions regarding the state’s emergency response structure.