Massive Search Launched After Human Remains Discovered in Northern Colorado

A boot containing human remains was discovered in Northern Colorado on Wednesday afternoon.

According to a news release from the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, an Eldora Mountain Ski Resort employee reported finding a black sock, human foot, and lower leg bones in a single size 13 Rugged Outback snow boot near the Eldora Mountain base.

Deputies responded to the scene to investigate, noting that the boot was wet and weathered and had likely been concealed by snow. Though, it's unclear how long the boot had been there.

A further search by various agencies - including 33 searchers, 6 cadaver dogs, and 5 horses - was conducted, and the search continued on Thursday morning, though no additional human remains have been found.

Investigators believe the remains are not those of Ryder Johnson, 20, of Lafayette, who was reported missing in January and had ties to the ski resort. They will continue to go through other missing persons reports and other motions of investigation to attempt to identify the human remains.

We will continue to provide updates on this story as they become available.