FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2025
ONE FATALITY IN AVALANCHE ON BERTHOUD PASS
GRAND COUNTY, CO- On February 22, 2025, at approximately 4:45 p.m. the Grand County Communications Center received a report of a skier triggered avalanche in the “Fingers Area” on Berthoud Pass. Grand County Search and Rescue, Grand County Emergency Medical Services, Grand County Sheriff’s Office, Flight for Life Colorado, Bureau of Land Management, and the Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment Team (CRAD) responded. Unfortunately, the avalanche has resulted in one fatality. The Sheriff’s Office and our partner agencies are actively working the incident. The decedent’s identity and cause and manner of death will be released by the Grand County Coroner when appropriate.
This was the second reported avalanche in Grand County today that triggered an emergency response.
On February 22, 2025, at 2:25 p.m. emergency personnel responded to an avalanche on Gravel Mountain near Grand Lake where it is believed the avalanche was triggered by a snowmobile operator. Further interviews revealed that three to four people were caught in the slide itself, but were able to self-rescue or were assisted by bystanders and sustained no injuries.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone recreating in our backcountry to always carry the essential equipment and follow the Colorado Avalanche Information Center - CAIC and search for a location or drop a pin on the map at colorado.gov/avalanche to get the daily avalanche forecast before you go into the backcountry to find the places you should avoid and the spots that might be a bit safer.
###
