Elbert, Colo. — Two middle-school girls visiting from the CSS team went missing after leaving Elbert School following Tuesday’s basketball games, and search teams and the community are scrambling for answers.
The Elbert School District posted an alert saying, “The girls have not been found yet. Please continue to keep your eyes out and pray for their safe return. Search and rescue is actively searching the area. Please be mindful of their presence.”
Officials say the girls left campus with their backpacks at about 5 p.m. Both are described as middle-school–aged and wearing blue shorts and hoodies.
Each girl was carrying a backpack. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 immediately.
Community Stands Together
Neighbors and parents responded quickly on social media and in person. One resident asked, “Would it be helpful to drive around also? Or stay out of the way?”
While another urged authorities to check nearby businesses: “Have they checked Hi-Test? Possibly walked down there to get snacks/drinks?”
A family member’s search was described in a comment: “Dayna’s family was walking around town looking earlier. They searched S40, and I’m sure Hi-Test.
If anyone has Ring cams around school, maybe there is something on there. Please check them. Our cameras had nothing.”
Others kept it short and tense, “Prayers,” several people wrote.
School officials have urged residents not to mount large, uncoordinated searches that could interfere with trained teams.
At the same time, they asked everyone to check the doorbell and security-camera footage and report any sightings or suspicious activity to emergency dispatch.
Some commenters asked practical questions that reflect local anxiety: “CSS faculty notified?” and “Any photos or names?” requests officials say are being handled privately with families to protect identities while searches continue.
Volunteers have been canvassing roads, nearby fields, and business corridors, and neighbors say they are checking camera footage from home systems.
Multiple people posted they had checked their Ring cameras and found nothing, and others asked anyone with footage to share timestamps and locations with 911 so investigators can follow up.
Residents also asked for the Elbert County Sheriff or other law enforcement channels to share official updates so the community can coordinate safely.
Family members, classmates and school staff have been notified, and support services are being arranged through the district.
Officials repeated a simple request: if you were in the area after the games, or if you have any video or information.
Even something that seems small, like a time or direction, call 911 right away. Small details can be crucial.
