JULY 21, 2025 |
Photo – Derek Pettigrew – Courtesy Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
The Jackson County, Colorado Sheriff’s Office is asking for help locating a missing Fort Collins man.
On Saturday, July 19th, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office announced that 22-year-old Derek W. Pettigrew was missing from Fort Collins, Colorado. Pettigrew was last seen around 9:00 p.m. on July 15th, leaving his Fort Collins home. Authorities say he may be experiencing a mental health crisis and is believed to be in possession of a firearm. Pettigrew’s cellphone was last traced to Jackson County, Colorado.
According to a news release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Pettigrew’s blue 2015 Subaru station wagon found along Highway 127, approximately 3.5 miles south of the Wyoming border. The vehicle was unoccupied and Pettigrew’s cellphone was discovered inside.
Colorado Highway 127 is 9.2 miles long at Cowdrey and proceeds northward to the Wyoming state line where it becomes Wyoming Highway 230.
Shortly after the vehicle was located, Classic Air Medical was dispatched to conduct an aerial search. At the same time, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office investigated nearby buildings. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the Albany County Sheriff’s Office provided drone assistance during the search.
On July 17 and 18, law enforcement officers and first responders, aided by search-and-rescue dogs, conducted an extensive ground search of the area where Pettigrew’s Subaru was discovered. However, despite the searchers’ best efforts, no trace of Pettigrew has been found aside from his vehicle.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is asking Saratoga and Encampment residents to keep an eye out for Pettigrew. The missing man is described as a 22-year-old white male, approximately 6 feet tall, 155 pounds, with a slender build, blue eyes, and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt with the letters “TLD,” plaid shorts, black slides, and a gray ball cap. Friends and family describe him as physically fit and an experienced outdoorsman.
Foul play is not suspected in the disappearance.
If you see Pettigrew, do not approach him. Instead, immediately call 911. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 723-4242 or call 911.
Pictures of Pettigrew will be posted to Bigfoot99.com later today.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office stated that their thoughts remain with the Pettigrew family during this difficult time.
