CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

February 5, 2016

For immediate release

Issued by Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze.

The victim killed today in the avalanche on Cottonwood Pass near Lost Lake in northern Chaffee County has been identified as Ron Brabander, a 58 year old resident of Woodland Park, Colorado.

Brabander was riding his snow bike alone in the Lost Lake area of Cottonwood Pass when he was caught in a very large avalanche. Rescuers reported that the avalanche was approximately one quarter mile wide and three quarters of a mile long. Snowmobilers heard the avalanche and checked the slide for victims however they saw nothing suspicious. They eventually reported the slide to members of Chaffee County Search and Rescue North who were also in the area training. They went to the avalanche site and discovered Brabander. They administered CPR but attempts to revive him failed and he was pronounced dead at the scene.