Search For Hunter Missing Near Fraser Hindered By Weather

FRASER, Colo. (CBS4/AP) - Searchers are continuing to look for a hunter missing amid sub-zero temperatures in western Colorado.

Grand County Undersheriff John Stein said Monday about 20 people resumed their search for Richard A. Kothanek, 51, of Littleton, who was reported missing Saturday near Fraser in an area near Meadow Creek Reservoir on the east end of Grand County.

"He left about 8 a.m. to be back shortly … before noon," Grand County Sheriff Rod Johnson said. "He didn't return."

A helicopter from the Wyoming National Guard helped with the search on Sunday.

"Yesterday we used a helicopter and about 19 searching members. Today we are not using the helicopter but we have 25 searchers and three search dogs out," Johnson said.

The terrain and the weather have made searching for Kothanek hard.

"Saturday was a tough day because it snowed during the daytime, so the tracks that he would have left have been covered now, and then the wind has also covered some of those tracks as well," Johnson said.

Temperatures dropped to minus-16 Saturday night.

Kothanek didn't take a cellphone or any navigation equipment for what was supposed to by a short hunt.

"We try and identify the most probable area he may be in and see if we can pick up clues. We have not yet picked up any clues on this search," Johnson said.

Johnson said there are a handful of lost hunters each season. But with dangerously cold temperatures, if no more clues were found Monday, the search may not continue Tuesday.

Fraser is about 45 miles northwest of Denver.

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