Colorado sees spike in ‘expensive and dangerous’ helicopter hoists this summer, including several missions on 14ers

Colorado sees spike in ‘expensive and dangerous’ helicopter hoists this summer, including several missions on 14ers

Colorado search and rescue teams have made a record number of requests for helicopter hoists to start off the year — and the busiest stretch of the summer season is still ahead. Colorado Search and Rescue Association public information officer Anna DeBattiste said that as of the end of June, backcountry rescue teams in the state had already made 18 requests for helicopter hoists, compared to just nine requests by that time last year. “We don’t k…