HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO – In a groundbreaking step forward for search and rescue (SAR) operations across Colorado, Douglas County Search and Rescue, in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Backcountry Search and Rescue Program, hosted the inaugural Rocky Mountain SAR UAS Conference on May 31. The event, held at the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Facility, was made possible thanks in part to funding from the Keep Colorado Wild Pass—a program that directly fuels SAR operations and other critical outdoor initiatives across the state.
This first-of-its-kind gathering highlighted the vital role of drones, or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), in modern search and rescue missions. SAR teams increasingly rely on drones to survey rugged terrain, locate missing individuals with thermal cameras, and even establish remote communication with those in distress.
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“Douglas County SAR identified the need for an event where SAR UAS professionals could collaborate and learn from each other; it clearly hit the mark,” said Brent Lounsbury, Emergency Management Coordinator for CPW. “We’re really looking forward to this event coming around again next year, and it being an even larger success.”
For many SAR teams, drones have already proven life-saving. Recent missions saw Douglas County SAR deploy drones to locate a missing 10-year-old boy and hikers in remote areas—operations that would have taken significantly longer and placed more volunteers at risk without this aerial technology.
Conference attendees had the chance to share mission stories, demo the latest drone tech, and participate in question-and-answer sessions that fostered real-world problem-solving. “This conference allowed us to get everyone in a room, make contacts and share best practices,” said Dave Miska, President of Douglas County SAR. “The peer-to-peer discussions after each presentation were especially valuable.”
Importantly, funding for these efforts—including the conference itself—comes directly from sales of the Keep Colorado Wild Pass, as well as hunting and fishing licenses and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card. The Keep Colorado Wild Pass, available for just $29 with your next vehicle registration, not only provides access to Colorado state parks and wildlife areas, but also directly supports volunteer-driven search and rescue teams, along with programs like the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC).
Help Keep Colorado Wild—and Safe!
Join us in supporting Colorado’s SAR volunteers and vital outdoor programs by purchasing a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration. These passes provide significantly more funding to the SAR community than CORSAR cards alone, while ensuring that our backcountry remains accessible and protected for future generations. Learn more and get your pass today—because every adventure deserves a safe return.
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