After two missile silo rescues in week, future missions will come with a $5,000 bill

After two rescues took place at an abandoned missile silo in Arapahoe County in less than a week, a local fire department has reportedly announced that future rescues will come with a significant cost.

The first rescue took place on July 8, involving two juveniles and an 18-year-old woman. While the three allegedly climbed into the underground structure via a rope ladder, the 18-year-old was unable to climb out, prompting a call for help. Days later, a second rescue took place on July 14 involving a 19-year-old male and a 28-year-old woman. The man was able to climb out using a rope ladder, but the woman was ultimately rescued from about 60 feet down the shaft. All individuals involved in both instances are set to face potential second-degree criminal trespassing charges, which comes with a mandatory court appearance and penalties of up to 10 days in jail, a fine up to $300, or both.

While those potential consequences are noteworthy already, people who require rescue after illegally entering the missile silo in the future are set to get slapped with a much bigger bill. According to reporting from KDVR, Sable Altura Fire District is set to start charging a $5,000 recovery fee, which isn’t a fine, but a charge designed to help cover the costs of equipment and training required to complete a complicated missile silo rescue.

Entering a missile silo comes with inherent dangers for both the trespassers and rescuers who may be called to assist. Law enforcement stressed that the public should stop attempting to enter these spaces.

Read more about the decision to start charging $5,000 for a rescue in the KDVR report here.

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