CareFlight of the Rockies

04/27/2026

04/05/2026

Our partners at CareFlight of the Rockies never fail to amaze us with where and how they land in order to pick up patients needing the highest levels of care. Our partners at the Grand Junction Fire Department worked seamlessly with CareFlight to access the patient and get them safely to the care needed while Deputy Klein provided extra hands for moving pieces and keeping the area safe for our partners to do their critical work.

Should you choose to adventure out into the further stretches of the county, please:
- tell someone where you are going
- tell someone what time you are expected to return
- bring extra water and snacks
- bring sunscreen and a jacket
- bring a fully charged phone

Stay safe, Mesa County! We're always here when you need us.

03/23/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – March 18, 2026 – Early this morning, at 12:30 AM, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received an SOS from an Apple device reporting one stranded climber on Capitol Peak’s Northwest Buttress Route, which was the subject’s intended route.

Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA) was in contact with the subject throughout the night and advised the subject to stay put until sunrise. The original report was that the climber had cold injuries to their hands and feet and was unable to move. The subject contacted MRA later during the overnight period and provided an update that they felt they could start moving under their own power. As the night continued, the information provided was that the injured climber could not walk out and required further assistance.

At 5:15 AM, Careflight of the Rockies launched from Montrose and flew over to assess the situation. Concurrently, MRA worked with Colorado Search & Rescue (CSAR) to put the Colorado National Guard and HAATS on standby in case a hoist was required. After some time, the subject was able to slowly make it down from the NW Buttress on Capitol, to Capitol Pass under their own power. Careflight was able to land on Capitol Pass, pick up the subject, and transport them to Aspen Valley Health (AVH) by 6:45 AM.

Mountain Rescue Aspen would like to thank Careflight of the Rockies, Colorado Search and Rescue, and HAATS for their assistance in this rescue.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the dedicated, all-volunteer team at Mountain Rescue Aspen. Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office remind backcountry users to always have a backcountry partner, carry a personal satellite device, know the route and your abilities, pre-plan your trips while avoiding late starts, and set turn-around times. It is important to always have the right clothing and gear for the projected weather conditions, and be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the mountains if the situation warrants it.

03/01/2026

It’s time to celebrate 🎉🎊🥳 our amazing flight nurse James! He just hit a HUGE milestone — 300 flights with CareFlight! 🚁🚁🚁 Your dedication, skill, and heart make a difference every single day. We’re so lucky to have you on the team 💙 Thank you for all that you do! 🙌✨
Share some love for James below! 👇👏

02/19/2026

Happy Critical Care Transport Nurses Day! Today we celebrate the incredible critical care transport nurses — along with their dedicated critical care paramedics — who make a difference when it matters most. Your skill, compassion, and commitment save lives every single day. Thank you for all that you do.

01/27/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – January 26, 2026 – Two backcountry skiers were evacuated by helicopter to Aspen Valley Health, one in critical condition while attempting to travel to The Goodwin Greene Hut. Temperatures were -22F and wind conditions made the rescue challenging.

The Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center (Dispatch) received a medical SOS at approximately 9:40 pm Sunday evening from the Goodwin Greene Hut. Two members of a seven-person party were reported as unable to make it to the hut with extreme cold injuries. The call was forwarded to the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, who in turn notified Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA), as a backcountry rescue would be necessary.

MRA immediately contacted CareFlight of the Rockies out of Rifle, Colorado (Careflight) while assembling and mobilizing teams of snowmobiles. After multiple attempts due to weather a CareFlight Paramedic and Mountain Rescue Paramedic were inserted in snowy conditions on the ridge. They were able to find the two hypothermic subjects, one non-responsive and in critical condition, and the second, who was also hypothermic. Initial care was provided and both patients were loaded into the helicopter and transferred to Aspen Valley Health. CareFlight immediately went back to the location to pick up the MRA member who was left behind due to space limitations in the aircraft.

All team members were out of the field at 3:45am Monday morning.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the dedicated, all-volunteer team at Mountain Rescue Aspen, along with CareFlight for their continued service to the community. Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind backcountry hut users to pre-plan their trips and avoid late starts. Do not underestimate the changing mountain conditions, have adequate clothing for the projected weather conditions, and be open to rescheduling or turning around to avoid getting caught in unfavorable weather.

01/27/2026

01/08/2026

🎉🚁 Happy Retirement, Robbie! 🎉🚁

Please join us in wishing CareFlight Flight Medic Robbie Klimek a very happy and well-deserved retirement! 🥳⏳ Where have the years gone?

Robbie has been an incredible part of the CareFlight family for 20+ years 🙌💙. It has truly been an honor to work alongside you and proudly call you our colleague, teammate, and friend all these years.

Thank you, Robbie, for your unwavering dedication, compassion, and service to our team and the communities we serve 🚁💙. Saying you will be missed is truly an understatement—your impact will be felt for years to come.

Wishing you blue skies, new adventures, and a retirement filled with happiness! ✨🌅

01/04/2026

CareFlight responded to a high-altitude rescue🏔️🚁 of an injured hiker yesterday on the Lead King Basin Trail, just west of the Maroon Bells. With the hikers stranded at 11,000 feet and no easy landing zone, our med crew navigated tough terrain, following the hikers tracks to locate the patient. The injured hiker was safely brought to the helicopter via sked. The hikers were transported to 🏥Aspen Valley Health. Our medic bravely stayed on the mountain, snow packing the landing zone, marking it with a beacon and chemsticks until CareFlight returned to pick him up. 💪🚁
🙌A big thank you to the entire team for a seamless and successful rescue.