Drone Search & Rescue in La Plata County | UAS Team Video
When it comes to finding missing persons in Colorado’s rugged backcountry, every second counts. In this video, La Plata County Search and Rescue sheds light on the critical role of their UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Team and how drone technology is helping overcome the very real limitations of a ground search team.
In just over a minute, Josh from La Plata County SAR explains why traditional search methods can’t always meet the demands of difficult terrain, time constraints, and visibility issues. Ground teams remain the backbone of SAR operations, but as Josh points out, they can only cover so much ground and often require hours or even days to access certain areas. That’s where the UAS Team steps in—delivering real-time aerial imagery, mapping, and reconnaissance that could otherwise take days to achieve on foot.
“We can send a drone over that ridge in 10 minutes—where a ground team might take 4-6 hours to get there safely,” says Josh.
The Limitations of Ground Search Teams
Traditional search teams face several challenges in La Plata County’s diverse terrain:
Steep, forested mountains with little to no visibility from the ground
Limited daylight hours and weather that can change quickly
The sheer size of wilderness areas—sometimes requiring many volunteers for a single search
These challenges highlight the growing need for drone-assisted search operations, especially in the early phases of a missing person case.
How the UAS Team Makes a Difference
The La Plata County SAR UAS Team is trained to fly drones in a variety of mission-critical scenarios. From aerial surveys and infrared scans to high-resolution mapping, their capabilities dramatically improve:
Search speed
Coverage area
Rescuer safety
The odds of locating someone in time
Watch the Video
Click below to hear directly from the team and see how drones are changing the face of search and rescue in La Plata County:
Learn More & Stay Safe
Follow Colorado’s Know Before You Go safety guidelines: Outdoor safety tips for Fourth of July weekend celebrations
Understand FAA’s drone rules for recreation and safety: FAA Recreational Drone Regulations
Want to help? Learn how to support La Plata County SAR: La Plata SAR Volunteer Info