Community Thank You and Acknowledgment

On behalf of Chaffee County Search and Rescue – South, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Kaden Sites.

Over the ten days following Kaden's disappearance on April 15, our teams and partners conducted an extensive search across the rugged terrain of Mount Shavano and the San Isabel National Forest, concluding with his recovery on April 25. We are grateful we were able to bring him home.

We want to especially acknowledge Kaden's friends and family, who showed remarkable strength and grace throughout this ordeal. Their trust in our teams meant a great deal to every person involved.

This mission would not have been possible without the generosity of our community. We are sincerely grateful to the local businesses who stepped up to support our teams each day: Ace Hardware, Amicas, Boathouse Cantina, Chill, Coffee by Topo, CP's Portables, El Tapatio, FlaminGo, Herks Werks, High Country Bank, Iron Chest Steakhouse, LaGree's, Moonlight Pizza, Peak to Peak Pickleball Club, Pizza Rio, Poncha Pub, Robin's Restaurant, Salida Elks Lodge, Sweetie's, and Walmart. Thank you also to the Chaffee County Fairgrounds, the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, and the many other organizations and individuals who contributed in ways large and small.

We are equally grateful to our partner agencies, the hundreds of volunteers from across Colorado, and the countless individuals who supported this effort from afar. The response from this community was extraordinary.

Chaffee County Search and Rescue - South is a 100% volunteer, self-funded organization providing free search and rescue services. If you'd like to support our mission, we invite you to contact us to learn more about our work, make a financial contribution, or explore opportunities to volunteer. Community support makes this mission possible and helps ensure we remain ready to respond when our neighbors need us most.