Western Mountain Rescue: Working alongside the Gunnison County Sheriff's Office

In the rugged mountains surrounding the Gunnison Valley, outdoor adventure comes with risks. Hikers, climbers, mountain bikers, skiers and backcountry travelers sometimes find themselves in trouble, miles from a road or medical facility. When that happens, the Western Mountain Rescue Team (WMRT) works alongside the Gunnison County Sheriff's Office and other emergency responders to help bring people home safely.

The rescue group is based at Western Colorado University and according to Ryan White, Director of Operations for the group, it has the unique recognition of being the only team in the country whose members are mostly college students and officially recognized as such by the Mountain Rescue Association.

The call to action for search and rescue can come at any time of the year. Recently, the Western group, Crested Butte Search and Rescue, Gunnison Sheriff's Office, and the Mt. Crested Butte Police Department worked together in a search for a missing Crested Butte resident. After a three-day search, the remains of 61-year-old Matthew Laggis were found. The deceased Laggis was found in a remote area near Lake Irwin. WMRT also assisted in the operations to locate the recent aircraft crash near Storm Ridge and the search for two climbers near West Apostle Mountain in Chaffee County. These search and rescue operations also involved fatalities.

Mountain rescue requires more than physical strength. Volunteers must develop specialized skills in wilderness medicine, swift water rescue, technical rope systems, navigation and high-angle rescue. They may work in darkness, freezing temperatures, high winds and deep snow to reach someone who is injured, lost or unable to continue.

Throughout Colorado, and in Gunnison, SAR groups work under the auspices of the local sheriff's office and the office plays an important role in coordinating search and rescue operations. When someone is reported missing or injured in the backcountry, the office helps organize the response, determine the resources needed and coordinate with trained rescue personnel. WMRT provides specialized technical expertise and personnel to assist with difficult terrain and challenging evacuations.

Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie told the Gunnison Country Times, "As the Sheriff of Gunnison County, I am statutorily responsible for all Search and Rescue, (SAR) in the County of Gunnison. There are three SAR teams in Gunnison County, Western State SAR, Crested Butte SAR, and West Elk SAR. All three of these teams are supported by volunteers and funding from the State of Colorado, fundraisers on their own, and some from the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office. "All three teams are essential to Gunnison County. They all work together at times, a lot here lately, and have their specialties. I am super proud to have all the volunteers and all three teams."

Funding for search and rescue has increased dramatically in the last several years due to the Keep Colorado Wild Pass program, which directs money to state parks, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center and search-and-rescue programs. In figures released last week, Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported the pass program raised $43.2 million in 2026. Since the program began in 2023 it has raised $146 million.

Under the terms of the program, the first $32.5 million raised goes to state park upkeep and staffing. After that, $2.5 million goes to the Colorado Backcountry Search and Rescue Program. Another $1 million goes to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The rest goes to the Wildlife Cash Fund and the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Cash Fund. Those funds support wider wildlife and outdoor recreation work.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, state funding for SAR in Gunnison County for the years 2022-2025 was $252,420, statewide funding since 2023 is $6.8 million, with an additional $2.75 million for training, equipment and mental health programs.

In a 2022 Colorado Parks and Wildlife study, it found: "Survey results showed that the average SAR volunteer contributes $1,587 of their own money each year for items like gear, fuel, and training courses. Using best estimates for the number of SAR volunteers in the state (2,800), volunteers contribute more than $4.4 million of their own money, per year, to backcountry search and rescue."

A rescue can involve a complicated operation. Teams must locate the person in distress, assess injuries, stabilize the patient and determine the safest way to evacuate them. Depending on the circumstances, that may mean carrying someone out on a litter, using ropes on steep slopes or coordinating an evacuation with other emergency responders.

For those heading into the mountains, preparation remains the best defense. Checking weather forecasts, carrying appropriate equipment, sharing travel plans and knowing personal limits can help prevent emergencies.

When prevention isn't enough, WMRT and the Gunnison County Sheriff's Office work together to answer the call. Their service represents an important commitment to public safety and the people who enjoy the Gunnison Valley's mountains.

A plan announced in March to have Colorado Parks and Wildlife assume a larger role in SAR operations has not moved forward. The Colorado Sun recently reported that Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen has proposed he assume responsibility to lead large scale SAR in Colorado. A request for comment from Feyen was not returned before press time.

Local residents can make donations directly to local SAR groups and attend fundraising events. "The upcoming avalanche seminar is a big fundraiser for WMRT. It will bring together backcountry recreationists, industry professionals, and community members to support our rescue team while promoting avalanche awareness and winter safety. We have over $1000 in prizes for our ticketed giveaway. Proceeds will help fund training, equipment, and operational readiness, ensuring our team remains prepared to respond effectively to backcountry emergencies throughout the winter season and beyond," said White.

On Nov. 17 at 6 p.m., Western Mountain Rescue will hold a fundraiser avalanche seminar in Quigley Auditorium on the Western Colorado University campus in Gunnison.

For more information and to make a donation, visit https://western.edu/department/mountain-rescue/. Be sure to select Western Mountain Rescue in the dropdown menu.