CORSAR Card

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pfiore1
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Re: CORSAR Card

Post by pfiore1 »

Johnson wrote:Funny....I was just in the process of getting a new card at the Fort Collins REI and texted Britt to find out if he still advocated having one. Lol

Anyway, the dude at REI didn’t know what I was talking about and when he asked about it all they had were two 1-year stickers. No cards. Is that the way it is now? Stickers and having to register them online?
There are a few differences between the cards and stickers. But the value for SAR organizations is the same. If you buy a card online, all the proceeds go to DOLA, if you buy a card from a SAR org or another vendor, each get a portion. When I sell a one year card for $3, I keep $1 for Custer SAR and send $2 to DOLA. For a five year card I keep $3 and send $9 to DOLA. The stickers are purchased as is. So if you bought a sticker at that store, the store had already paid DOLA upfront for the stickers and they keep what they sell. Stickers are just easier in terms of less paperwork for stores like that. They don't have to keep the receipts, fill out a sales report form and send a check every three months. As you said, stickers have to be registered online. Cards are submitted by the vendors on a quarterly basis. So if you buy a card January 1st the blue stub will not be sent to DOLA until March 31. If SAR spends money helping you in between, we will still get reimbursed but it can be confusing on our end.

Hope that helps. All other details are available on the website too.

Thanks, Pat
Dissent Is Patriotic

Support your local Search and Rescue agency. Be safe and respect your wilderness.

Custer County Search and Rescue, Inc... https://www.custersar.org

Custer County SAR Facebook... https://www.facebook.com/CusterSAR/?fref=photo

Colorado Search and Rescue... https://coloradosar.org

CORSAR Fund... https://cdola.colorado.gov/funding-prog ... escue-fund
Bombgetter
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Re: CORSAR Card

Post by Bombgetter »

Good info. I bought a 5 year card 2 years ago. Never thought to carry it because I just thought it was a fundraiser.
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globreal
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Re: CORSAR Card

Post by globreal »

Pat,
Thank you so much for chiming in. It's really good to have someone on the SAR side of the fence to give your perspective. When my good climbing friend passed away on a climb, I was surprised to find out that his CORSAR card had expired. I ended up having numerous conversations with SAR folks who retrieved his body. That gave me a greater understanding of how we can help those of you who volunteer and risk your lives to help others. It's why I am now passionate about this.
~Britt
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pfiore1
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Re: CORSAR Card

Post by pfiore1 »

globreal wrote:Pat,
Thank you so much for chiming in. It's really good to have someone on the SAR side of the fence to give your perspective. When my good climbing friend passed away on a climb, I was surprised to find out that his CORSAR card had expired. I ended up having numerous conversations with SAR folks who retrieved his body. That gave me a greater understanding of how we can help those of you who volunteer and risk your lives to help others. It's why I am now passionate about this.
~Britt
I'm so sorry Britt about your friend. That's awful. We just had another fatality last Monday and it's always a horrible thing for everyone. I hope your friend's expired CORSAR card didn't become an issue. Unless the costs are astounding, which they rarely are, I and many other SAR admins don't ask a grieving family for a CORSAR card or other CID number for mission reimbursement. It's just not worth the heartache.
Dissent Is Patriotic

Support your local Search and Rescue agency. Be safe and respect your wilderness.

Custer County Search and Rescue, Inc... https://www.custersar.org

Custer County SAR Facebook... https://www.facebook.com/CusterSAR/?fref=photo

Colorado Search and Rescue... https://coloradosar.org

CORSAR Fund... https://cdola.colorado.gov/funding-prog ... escue-fund
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greenonion
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Re: CORSAR Card

Post by greenonion »

I just want to make sure I understand what the CORSAR does and covers, especially since their website https://cdola.colorado.gov/funding-prog ... escue-fund emphasizes that purchasing the card is not akin to insurance to pay for medical transport (chopper ride, etc). Is the idea that anyone with a card who gets rescued, or forbid, recovered, by SAR will have the expenses of that local SAR possibly reimbursed? Not complaining - just want to be sure what and who is covered. Sounds pretty straightforward on the site that local SAR gets reimbursed, but just making sure. Mine has expired and looking to renew/purchase.
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HikerGuy
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Re: CORSAR Card

Post by HikerGuy »

greenonion wrote: Thu Jul 15, 2021 9:11 am I just want to make sure I understand what the CORSAR does and covers, especially since their website https://cdola.colorado.gov/funding-prog ... escue-fund emphasizes that purchasing the card is not akin to insurance to pay for medical transport (chopper ride, etc). Is the idea that anyone with a card who gets rescued, or forbid, recovered, by SAR will have the expenses of that local SAR possibly reimbursed? Not complaining - just want to be sure what and who is covered. Sounds pretty straightforward on the site that local SAR gets reimbursed, but just making sure. Mine has expired and looking to renew/purchase.
At the end of the year, each SAR organization submits expenses for reimbursement. They can only submit an expense for reimbursement if the subject rescued/recovered had a CORSAR card or applicable license (hunting/fishing). All of the funds collected from CORSAR fees are distributed to the SAR organizations. They don't come close to recovering all of their expenses, but it helps tremendously and I imagine it is their largest source of funds outside of the fundraising they do on their own. In addition to a CORSAR card, I also make small ongoing donations to several of the the SAR organizations. No benefits are provided to the rescued individual.
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greenonion
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Re: CORSAR Card

Post by greenonion »

Thanks. I’ll get a new one soon
cheechaco
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Re: CORSAR Card

Post by cheechaco »

Thanks for the reminder!! I followed the CDoLA link and purchased mine. Then I went back to buy one for my buddy and the "Purchase Now" link is broke :shock:
"Until at last he smote his enemies ruin across the mountainside"
curt86iroc
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Re: CORSAR Card

Post by curt86iroc »

cheechaco wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 12:11 pm Thanks for the reminder!! I followed the CDoLA link and purchased mine. Then I went back to buy one for my buddy and the "Purchase Now" link is broke :shock:
FYI - you can also pick up a card in person at any one of these vendors...

https://dola.colorado.gov/sar/vendors.jsf
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two lunches
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Re: CORSAR Card

Post by two lunches »

it's always a good day to check the expiration date of your CORSAR card, or get one if you don't already have one. 1 year is $3, 5 years is $12
and they can be purchased here: https://dola.colorado.gov/sar/cardPurchase.jsf

as a reminder, calling for SAR services comes at no-cost to you, but the costs to the individuals who respond to the call go beyond just their time. purchasing a CORSAR card will
allow reimbursement to county sheriffs for eligible costs incurred on a mission. These costs can include mileage, meals, replacement of lost equipment, rental fees for equipment, and reimbursement for gasoline. For the cost of the card, you have helped ensure that trained and well equipped search and rescue teams will respond should you become lost or in need of rescue and they will not have to personally incur expense due to your emergency.
if you feel compelled to make a donation beyond the $12 cost of a CORSAR card, you can contribute SAR teams here- https://mra.org/all-teams/rocky-mountain-region/

and one last group-- Colorado 4x4 Rescue and Recovery offers free vehicle recovery services, as well and you can reach them 24/7 at 720-722-1204. (plug that number into your phone ASAP!)
their donation page is here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/co4x4rnr?locale.x=en_US

happy, safe trails, all!
“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” – Mary Davis
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jsf80238
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Re: CORSAR Card

Post by jsf80238 »

Just now purchased, thanks for the reminder.
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