CONEJOS COUNTY — Wednesday, September 17, marks the fifth day that deputies from the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) with assistance from numerous other local, county, state and national agencies have been conducting an intensive search for two men in their twenties who were reported missing after coming to hunt in the Rio Grande National Forest on Thursday, September 11.

According to Connie Ricci, Public Information Officer for Conejos County, 25-year-old Andrew Porter of Asheville, North Carolina and 25-year-old Ian Stasko of Salt Lake City, Utah came to the San Juan Wilderness Area west of Trujillo Meadows Reservoir on Thursday with plans to go elk hunting in the area.

Ricci told the Valley Courier that Porter’s fiancé contacted the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office the following day, saying that the two men had sent a message via Garmin on Thursday evening but had not checked in on Friday as had been planned ahead of time.

According to a press release issued by the CCSO on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 17, the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Rio De Los Pinos Trailhead on September 13, attempting to make contact with Porter and Stasko.

At that point, the vehicle that Porter and Stasko drove to the trailhead was located but neither individual was there. Camping gear and backpacks were located in the vehicle.

This prompted deputies to become concerned due to heavy rain and bad weather. Search and Rescue Operations were immediately put into place, resulting in a massive search. Air Operations, Multi County and State Ground Teams, Dog Teams, Drone Teams, ATVs and Local Volunteers are working the area.

The September 17 afternoon press release provided an update, stating, “The search is continuing today with multiple resources active. The New Mexico State Police and La Plata County Search and rescue Teams along with volunteers from as far away as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Wyoming and numerous other states and counties across the state, and the nation have and are responding.

“We have had over 54 teams of professionally trained Search and Rescue Personnel mixed with volunteers in the field. Each team is made up of three to four individuals either on foot or on horseback. We also have numerous drones flying the area combined with Flight for Life, Classic and a personally owned Black Hawk Helicopter.”

Ricci further told the Valley Courier that Rainbow Trout Lodge, which is located in the area where the two hunters’ truck is located, has also offered to assist in the search, confirming that people on horseback will now be searching for Porter and Stasko, as well.

News5 out of Colorado Springs contacted Porter’s fiancé and reported on her statement to the public which reads as follows.

"I love Andrew with all of my heart and if you can’t come help, please just pray for a safe recovery," she said. "We are desperate for help and assistance on foot to support SAR [Search and Rescue] with the Conejo County Sheriff's Office that has been so very supportive and dedicated to searching. We are grateful for their dedication and ongoing hard work."

Anyone who was in the area on or before September 13 and spotted either man or may have information regarding their whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office at (719) 376-2196.

More will be reported as information becomes available.