Tayler Esslinger Found Deceased

From the Eagle County Sheriff's Office
It is with great sadness that the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed, from the Garfield County Coroner’s office, that Tayler Esslinger was found deceased in his vehicle on Friday, July 28. We are very heartbroken by today’s turn of events in this discovery. While it was not the outcome we had all been hoping and praying for, these last few days have shown how the circumstances of one individual can pull us together to make us all stronger. The love and support this community has shown in the search for Tayler has been beyond words. This support has been a comfort to his family, friends, co-workers, and the entire community.

We offer our sincerest condolences to the Esslinger family, extended family, and friends. We ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this sorrowful time.

We will have a community briefing this evening, Friday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Health Science Building at Eagle Valley High School on the East side of the campus. This community briefing will be live-streamed on our Facebook page for those who cannot attend.

Our hearts are hurting and as we begin to mourn Tayler’s loss, we cannot overstate the importance of reaching out to needed resources, such as the Hope Center, that are available to help all of us through this healing process.

For community members seeking counseling assistance, the following resources are available:

Eagle Valley High School | Health Science Building (east side campus)

• Walk-in support services will be offered from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 28

Eagle River Presbyterian Church, 455 Nottingham Road in Avon

• Walk-in support services will be offered from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, June 28
• Walk-in support services will be offered from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 1

Hope Center Eagle River Valley | Eagle County Paramedic Services Building, 360 Eby Creek Rd., Eagle

• Walk-in support services from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 29
• Walk-in support services from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 30
• Walk in support services from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 1
• 24-hour crisis line and in-person community support. Call anytime at 970-306-4673 (HOPE). For additional assistance, call Aspen Hope Center at 970-925-5858.
• www.ourhopecenter.org

Mind Springs Health

• For ongoing support and walk-in hours, call 970-328-6969. Mind Springs Health in Eagle is located at 137 Howard St.
• www.mindspringhealth.org

Speak Up REACH OUT – Suicide Prevention Coalition of Eagle County

• www.speakupreachout.org

 Colorado Crisis Line | www.coloradocrisisservices.org

• 1-844-493-8255, chat online or text TALK to 38255

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-8255

• www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org for online chat support

Numerous community members, Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Gypsum Fire Protection District, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Greater Eagle Fire District, Eagle River Fire Protection District, AARF Eagle, Colorado River Fire Rescue, Avon Police Department, Eagle Police Department, US Forest Service, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Vail Mountain Rescue, Northwest Colorado Incident Management Team, Vail Public Safety Communications Center, Eagle County PIO Group, Colorado National Guard High Altitude Aviation Training Site, Multi-Mission Aircraft from Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Salvation Army, Eagle County Emergency Management, Eagle County Public Health, Town of Gypsum, United States Secret Service with technical support, Town of Vail, VTAC-Canine and the Garfield County Coroner’s Office all worked collaboratively on this incident.   

Tayler Esslinger

 

Missing Vehicle Has Been Located in Search for Gypsum Man

After many days of ongoing search efforts by multiple first responder agencies, state resources and community volunteers, the vehicle belonging to Tayler Esslinger was located by air resources this morning in a rural area of Garfield County. The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, along with other resources, are en route to the scene for further investigation.

All search teams have been recalled from their field efforts. The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office cannot thank our community enough for the enormous outpouring of support during this difficult time. Numerous volunteers joined us in searching for Tayler by donating their personal time and vehicles to assist in the days following Tayler’s disappearance. 

We are requesting the patience of everyone while we work through this investigation. All updated information will be posted as it is received. Please follow us on Facebook for updated and accurate information.

Tayler Esslinger

Search Builds for Missing Gypsum Man

From the Eagle County Sheriff's Office

On Thursday, June 27, roughly 75 civilians joined public safety personnel in conducting ground searches for missing Eagle County Sheriff’s Office Deputy and Gypsum firefighter Tayler Esslinger. Ground teams were assisted by a fixed wing flight by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) and the Colorado National Guard High Altitude Aviation Training Site (HAATS) helicopters. Due to the number of volunteers and the expected duration of the operation, the Northwest Colorado Incident Management Team (NWCOIMT) took over management of the incident as of 5:30pm yesterday.

Ground searches today will focus on areas both north and south of I-70. Safety of the public and first responders is the top priority. Volunteers are requested to check in and out at the Gypsum fire station before heading out into the field. The intent is to ensure that all off-road areas are fully explored, including embankments and other areas where a vehicle may not be visible from the air.

One minor injury to a first responder was reported yesterday due to an ATV accident.

Any updates will be posted on the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. If you think you have information that could assist with the search, please call 970-479-2201. A public information line has also been set up: (970) 445-4911

Search party for Tayler Esslinger

Tayler Esslinger



Volunteers Join Emergency Responders in Search for Missing Gypsum Man

From the Eagle County Sheriff's Office

Search and rescue efforts are still underway for missing Eagle County Sheriff’s Office Deputy and Gypsum firefighter Tayler Esslinger. Crews and volunteers will be back out in the field today, and are implementing a systematic approach, which will involve both air and ground searches. A volunteer briefing will be held this at Gypsum Fire Protection District at 511 2nd Street in Gypsum this morning, Friday June 28th at 8:00 a.m.

If you cannot attend the briefing and you plan on assisting in the search, we still ask that you please come to the fire station before you head out to the field in order to sign in and out. This allows us to track areas that have been searched by community members and eliminates duplicate efforts. Public safety is requesting that if you are out in the field in the evening that you check back into the fire station no later than 8:00 p.m.

 

Search for Tayler Esslinger Continues

From the Eagle County Sheriff's Office 

We have had an overwhelming response from community members wanting to assist with the search for Tayler Esslinger. Community members who wish to help search for Tayler are asked to come to the Gypsum Fire Protection District at 511 2nd Street in Gypsum for a volunteer briefing Friday, June 28th at 8:00 a.m.

If you cannot attend the briefing and you plan on assisting in the search, we still ask that you please come to the fire station before you head out to the field in order to sign in and out. This allows us to track areas that have been searched by community members and eliminates duplicate efforts. Public safety is requesting that if you are out in the field in the evening that you check back into the fire station no later than 8:00 p.m.

We have also been receiving phone calls regarding donations. If you would like to donate to assist in our search efforts, nonperishable food items such as water, Gatorade and energy bars that can easily be carried into the field are always appreciated.

Please do not call the station, which is experiencing a high volume of calls. If you have questions you can contact 970-445-4911. Any updates will be posted at https://www.facebook.com/pg/EagleCountySO/posts/. Please follow this page for the most updated and accurate information. If you think you have information that could assist with the search, please call 970-479-2201.

 

Searching for Missing Man from Gypsum

The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, along with his family and friends, is seeking any information that may lead to the whereabouts of Tayler Esslinger, age 26, of Gypsum, Colo. Tayler was last seen early Tuesday morning driving a black 2011 Dodge pickup truck. The truck has firefighter license plates on it with plate number 719YBC. We believe when he was last seen he was heading into mountains. If you have any information regarding Tayler or if you see this vehicle, please contact the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office or the Vail Public Safety Communications Center at 970-479-2201.

6.21.19 - Eagle County Announces Updated Fire Restrictions Ordinance

6.21.19 - Eagle County Announces Updated Fire Restrictions Ordinance

Eagle County - This week Eagle County Sheriff James Van Beek, along with the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners signed an updated fire restrictions ordinance. The updates will help to clarify fire restrictions with what is allowed and not allowed and includes the implementation of automatic fire restrictions during periods of a ‘Red Flag Warning' throughout unincorporated Eagle County (excluding Federal lands). Anytime the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning for our area, fire restrictions will automatically be implemented.

This means that Eagle County will automatically move into fire restrictions during the specific time frame of a Red Flag Warning, without any further action from the Sheriff. During times that Eagle County is not implementing regular fire restrictions and a Red Flag Warning is issued, all of unincorporated Eagle County (excluding Federal lands) will automatically move into Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. The fire restrictions listed in the attached image under “Stage 1 Flag Restricted Activity” will be implemented throughout the duration of the Red Flag Warning.

In the event that Eagle County has already enacted “Stage 1 Fire Restrictions” and a “Red Flag Warning" is issued, all of unincorporated Eagle County (excluding Federal lands) will then automatically move to “Stage II Fire Restrictions”.The fire restrictions listed in the attached image under “Stage 2 Flag Restricted Activity” will be implemented throughout the duration of the Red Flag Warning.

*Undeveloped Lands: Lands that are not groomed, manicured, or watered, where grasses, brush and trees have been allowed to grow in a natural environment. This includes green belts that are not landscaped or manicured, open space lands, non-manicured park lands, and other areas where the fire hazard presented by the vegetation is determined to be an undue wild land fire hazard.

*Portable Outdoor Fireplace: A portable outdoor, solid fuel burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay or other non-combustible material and equipped with a screen or other approved spark arrestor. A portable outdoor fireplace may be open in design or may be equipped with a small hearth opening and a short chimney or chimney on top.

• A red flag warning is a forecast warning issued by the National Weather Service to inform area firefighting and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fire combustion, and rapid spread. *After drought conditions, when humidity is very low, and especially when there are high or erratic winds which may include lightning as a factor, the Red Flag Warning becomes a critical statement for firefighting agencies.
   
• A map depicting the areas of Eagle County affected by fire restrictions can be found at: http://www.ecemergency.org/p/eagle-county-fire-restrictions-info.html
  
  
   
•  In addition, the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office strongly encourages citizens to stay aware of the latest emergency and weather notifications by signing up for EC Alerts at: www.ecalert.org.

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