Fact Check: The previous record for a helicopter rescue in Colorado was 13,700 feet (4,175 meters), according to rescue officials.

Fact Check: "The previous record for a helicopter rescue in Colorado was 13,700 feet (4,175 meters), according to rescue officials."

What We Know

Recently, rescue officials reported that the previous record for a helicopter rescue in Colorado was believed to be 13,700 feet (4,175 meters). This claim emerged following a rescue operation on Torreys Peak, where two men were struck by lightning at an altitude of 14,200 feet (4,330 meters) on June 12, 2025. The rescue involved a Blackhawk helicopter, which successfully extracted one of the injured men from this high elevation, prompting officials to reference the 13,700 feet figure as the prior record for helicopter rescues in the state (AP News, ABC News).

Analysis

The claim that the previous record for a helicopter rescue in Colorado was 13,700 feet is problematic. While rescue officials stated this figure, it lacks corroboration from independent sources or historical data that confirms it as the definitive record. The altitude of 13,700 feet is cited in multiple reports surrounding the recent rescue, but there is no comprehensive database or official record from Colorado's rescue services that validates this claim as the highest previous rescue altitude.

Furthermore, the context of helicopter rescues is crucial. Helicopters have operational limits that vary based on several factors, including the type of helicopter and environmental conditions. The Blackhawk helicopter used in the recent rescue has a maximum operational altitude of about 19,000 feet (5,800 meters), which suggests that rescues at higher altitudes may have occurred but were not documented or reported (CPR, CTV News).

The reliance on anecdotal evidence from rescue officials, without robust documentation, raises questions about the accuracy of the claim. The sources reporting this figure are primarily news outlets covering the rescue event, which may not have access to comprehensive historical data on helicopter rescues in Colorado.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that the previous record for a helicopter rescue in Colorado was 13,700 feet (4,175 meters) is not substantiated by reliable evidence. While rescue officials stated this figure, it lacks verification from independent sources or historical records. Given the operational capabilities of helicopters and the absence of documented evidence confirming this altitude as a record, the claim cannot be accepted as accurate.

Sources

1. Colorado – Wikipedia
2. Men hit by lightning plucked from mountain in record-high Colorado ...
3. Colorado Pictures and Facts - National Geographic Kids
4. Men hit by lightning plucked from mountain in record-high helicopter ...
5. Men hit by lightning saved from mountain in record-high ...
6. Colorado | Flag, Facts, Maps, & Points of Interest | Britannica
7. Men hit by lightning plucked from mountain in a record-high Colorado ...
8. Record-high Colorado helicopter rescue: Men hit by lightning - CTV News