Search for missing Colorado hiker called off after body found, National Park Service says

A search for a 66-year-old missing hiker was suspended after a body was found at Colorado National Monument, the National Park Service said.

NPS said Friday the man was missing after going on a hike at Colorado National Monument, and a “search-and-rescue operation” was happening on the southeast side of the monument near Fruita, Colorado.

Jim Fuchs, a man from Grand Junction, left a note indicating he planned to hike Monday, according to an NPS news release.

“Staff at the monument was notified at approximately 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 25, 2020 by a friend who had found the note and had been unable to contact him,” the news release said. “Fuchs’ vehicle was found at the Lower Serpents Trail parking lot, just inside the east (Grand Junction) entrance to the monument.”

The National Park Service said Saturday that a man matching Fuchs’ description was found dead.

“The identification of the victim and cause of death will be established by Mesa County Coroner’s office,” NPS said. “The victim was discovered early Saturday, June 27, 2020, in rough terrain beyond the Devil’s Kitchen rock formation in Colorado National Monument.”