Snow is beautiful and beneficial for our mountain critters and forests. Mountain folks experience this white phenomenon in various ways, from flurries to sleet and graupel to blizzards.

Many parts of Colorado’s Front Range and beyond experienced one of the heaviest snowstorms in the state recently, with accumulation upwards of three or more feet of snow. Commuters experienced sliding off roads, crashing into snowbanks, and getting stuck in various places.

Local heroes risked their lives by providing plow services to many residents stuck inside their homes or for communities within private roads. One of these heroes was Bren Wilson of Gilpin County.

According to statements made by Wilson’s family, he was plowing a path from Missouri Gulch Road to Highway 119 during the snowstorm on Thursday, March 14, 2024, when his tractor got stuck.

“Wilson was stranded through the night as he attempted to walk more than three miles in the five-foot snow drifts,” shares Jeff Platt, who also shared the family’s GoFundMe information to help Wilson recover from hypothermia.

Wilson’s daughter, Kyla Wilson, says she was able to quickly get in contact with Gilpin County dispatch to locate her dad. “They assembled a huge group of incredible first responders from Gilpin and neighboring counties to work through the night to reach him - and just in time.”

Wilson is at the hospital recovering. His daughter has started a GoFundMe campaign, reaching out to the community Wilson was trying to help. The family appreciates donations to help cover hospital and recovery expenses.

To donate and read more about the family, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-dadrecover from-hypothermia.