A tragic loss in Colorado’s backcountry sparked a mission of advocacy for Denver videographer Brian Chambliss, whose grief led to a unique gift for the state’s volunteer search and rescue (SAR) teams.
In July 2019, Chambliss lost his father, Don, during a solo climb on Kelso Ridge near Torreys Peak. Don, an experienced mountaineer who had summited peaks across the globe, including Denali and Cho Oyu, fell during the climb and was later recovered by the Alpine Rescue Team. What stood out most to Brian during those devastating days was the compassion, dedication, and professionalism of the SAR volunteers—and the fact that their efforts came at no cost to his family.
“I just got to know: Who should we be expecting a bill from?” Brian recalled asking the sheriff. “And to my surprise, the sheriff said, ‘Nobody. You’re not going to get a bill from us, and you’re also not going to get a bill from the Alpine Rescue Team.’”
Stunned by the generosity, Brian—who owns Plugged In Productions—felt compelled to give back. He used his skills to create a short film titled The Art of Rescue in 2020, showcasing the work of Alpine Rescue Team. The film was accepted into several film festivals and won Best Documentary Short at the Los Angeles Reel Film Festival.
But Brian didn’t stop there. In 2022, he began a pro bono partnership with the Colorado Search and Rescue Association (CSAR) to create Trailblazers and Lifesavers, a video series highlighting safe outdoor practices. Each of the four videos features a different adventure—backcountry skiing, whitewater rafting, hiking, and rock climbing—in various locations across the state. SAR volunteers staged simulated rescues to show viewers what to expect and how to stay safe.
CSAR’s public information manager Anna DeBattiste said the series aligned perfectly with their mission: educate the public, reduce emergencies, and let people know they can call SAR without worrying about a bill. “We were blown away by the quality,” she said. “And the message is so powerful.”
SAR teams in Colorado respond to nearly 3,000 incidents annually, donating close to 400,000 volunteer hours. Yet they remain widely underfunded. Brian hopes his videos will raise awareness and encourage donations, noting the rising demand as more people visit Colorado for outdoor recreation.
“We’ve got to go out for funding,” said DeBattiste. “We have many ideas for more videos across the state, but it’s not sustainable as a pro bono venture forever.”
Those who want to support the video project can reach out to [email protected]. Other ways to help include:
-
Buying a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card ($5/year or $20/five years), which helps reimburse SAR costs.
-
Purchasing a Keep Colorado Wild Pass during vehicle registration, which partially funds SAR efforts.
-
Donating directly to CSAR or to individual county SAR teams.
After years of collaborating with SAR teams, Brian remains deeply moved. “They really are the most amazing people I have met,” he said. “If you ever need help, please don’t hesitate to call them. They’re there, and they’ll show up.”
Leave a Reply