Families Plead for Help Finding 676 Missing Coloradans on Annual Missing Persons Day

Colorado's 10th annual Missing Persons Day event brought together families searching for loved ones missing for months or decades.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:55pm

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Families, friends, and advocates gathered at the Colorado State Capitol for the 10th annual Colorado Missing Persons Day, sharing stories of 676 Coloradans who have been missing for a year or more. The event was a chance for families to connect with investigators, lawmakers, and others in similar situations, as well as submit DNA samples that could help solve their cases. Participants released flowers and bubbles as symbols of hope that someone will come forward with information to help find their missing loved ones.

Why it matters

Colorado's Missing Persons Day highlights the ongoing struggles of families searching for answers about their missing loved ones, some for decades. The event aims to raise awareness, provide resources, and renew calls for information that could help solve these cases, many of which involve vulnerable populations like the homeless or those dealing with mental health issues.

The details

During the event, family members and advocates read the names of the 676 Coloradans who have been missing for a year or more. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation also collected DNA samples from loved ones that could aid in solving their cases. Participants released flowers and bubbles as symbols of hope that someone will come forward with information.

  • Colorado's 10th annual Missing Persons Day event was held on February 4, 2026.
  • Kelsie Schelling was last seen on February 4, 2013, the day the event is held each year.

The players

Audrey Simkins

An official with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation who explained the purpose of the Missing Persons Day event.

Laura Saxton

Started the Missing Persons Day event in Colorado in 2016 to honor her daughter, Kelsie Schelling, who went missing in 2013.

Lindsay Paison

A private investigator who continues to advocate for missing Coloradans, including Kali Resseguie, who has been missing since December 2022.

Agnes Sanchez

The mother of Christina Sanchez, who has been missing for nearly a year after struggling with mental health issues.

Kali Resseguie

A 33-year-old woman who went missing in Littleton, Colorado on December 31, 2022.

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What they’re saying

“It's really a day of remembrance for the families to be able to think of their loved one and, you know, kind of have that memorial that they maybe never had in these particular cases.”

— Audrey Simkins, Official, Colorado Bureau of Investigation

“I wish I could put into words how torturous of an experience this is for family and friends of missing persons. These folks need answers as to what happened.”

— Lindsay Paison, Private Investigator

“[Law enforcement doesn't] have a sense of urgency when it comes to folks who may be living in the homeless community or who may be dealing with substance abuse or mental health issues. These folks get swept under the rug.”

— Lindsay Paison, Private Investigator

“If you're not in their face all the time, they lose interest. And so, I think the way that we have to just keep doing (this) is keep putting those faces out there, putting the names out there.”

— Agnes Sanchez, Mother of Missing Person

What’s next

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation will continue to work with families and law enforcement to investigate the cases of the 676 missing Coloradans. Advocates plan to continue holding the annual Missing Persons Day event to raise awareness and push for progress on these cases.

The takeaway

Colorado's Missing Persons Day highlights the ongoing struggles of families searching for their loved ones, often for years or decades, and the need for greater urgency and resources from law enforcement to address cases involving vulnerable populations like the homeless and those with mental health issues. The event serves as a powerful reminder that someone, somewhere, likely knows something that could help solve these cases and provide closure for grieving families.