DENVER — Responses to Colorado's backcountry emergencies are complex, and often include a myriad of personnel and resources. And behind the scenes of many of them is a special group of experts — all volunteers — who make sure all the pieces are in place to have a successful mission.

In Colorado, search and rescue cases all start with the county sheriff's office and local teams. If an additional level of assistance is needed, they turn to the Colorado Search and Rescue (CSAR) Association's statewide coordinators, who are responsible for the organization that powers rescues in every corner of the state.

"If a county needs that extra help — more people, more resources for their rescue — they can literally make one phone call to the CSAR state coordinators," explained Kevin Harner, one of

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