Missing Rafter on Colorado River
Report of a missing rafter near Grizzly Creek in the Glenwood Canyon
PRESS RELEASE
June 26, 2023
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO. – Shortly after 2 p.m. on Sunday June 25, 2023, the Glenwood Springs Fire Department and the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a missing rafter near Grizzly Creek in the Glenwood Canyon. A father and son entered the Colorado River at Grizzly Creek with the intent of rafting to the New Castle area. Shortly after the raft put into the river it capsized. The son was able to swim to the shore while the father, according to witnesses, continued down the river holding on to the capsized raft.
Glenwood Fire arrived on scene and immediately began their rescue efforts searching the river on both banks from the Grizzly Creek Rest area to Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs. Search and Rescue was called to assist in the search. After two hours of searching both banks and the river, Glenwood Fire ceased their efforts on the Colorado River and cleared the scene allowing Search and Rescue members to continue their work.
With night approaching and in the interest of safety, Search and Rescue members suspended its rescue efforts for the day shortly after 8 p.m. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is currently treating this as a missing person report and will work with Search and Rescue to continue the search in the area.
The missing person is described as a 65-year-old male who was last seen wearing a gray shirt or hoody with white and yellow gloves. It is unclear if he was wearing a personal flotation device or not.
107 Eighth Street, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 970-945-0453 970-945-6430 (fax) www.garcosheriff.com
The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone. It is great to enjoy all the whitewater challenges that Colorado Rivers provide everyone should follow a few simple guidelines while on a river, particularly when navigating what are known as “whitewater” areas:
1) Always wear a personal flotation device.
2) When on white water rapids wear a helmet designed for water usage.
3) Raft in groups with two or more rafts or watercraft in your party.
4) Make sure someone on shore or at home knows the area or stretch of water you are planning to navigate.
Be safe, be smart, and enjoy this terrific recreational opportunity.
The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Glenwood Springs Fire and the members of Garfield County Search and Rescue for their quick and professional response in this matter.