VIDEO: A UTV rider was rescued Monday morning after an overnight search in rugged terrain near Rainbow Falls, a popular recreation spot in Douglas County. The rider was reported missing Sunday evening, prompting a coordinated search effort involving six Colorado agencies. Crews utilized drones, high-clearance trucks, and ATVs to comb the area, but initial efforts were hampered by darkness and difficult terrain.
โItโs a beautiful open riding area, but we get paged there quite often,โ said Dave Arnett, field director for Douglas County Search and Rescue. โPeople go off trail or run into trouble on these challenging roads.โ Search teams worked past 2 a.m. Monday, returning at first light for a second sweep. It was during this effort that the rider was located and safely brought out of the area.
Officials say the situation underscores the dangers of riding during Coloradoโs โmud seasonโโtypically late April through Mayโwhen melting snow and saturated trails can cause unexpected hazards for off-road vehicles.
