JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. --
A family of four hunting for that perfect Christmas tree got lost in Jefferson County Sunday afternoon, called 911 and were escorted to safety after dark by the Alpine Rescue team, authorities said.
The family, a couple and their two children, ages 9 and 13, became lost in the backcountry near Highway 126 and Forest Service Road 550 in the Buffalo Creek area, said Jefferson County sheriff's spokeswoman Jacki Kelley.
They called 911 on a cellphone about 2:30 p.m. to report they were lost, Kelley said. The family had a pretty good idea of where they were, and dispatchers told them to stay put until the search-and-rescue team reached them.
The family built a campfire to stay warm and no one was hurt, she said. Dispatchers stayed in touch with the family on their cellphone and authorities used the cell signal to locate the family.
Alpine Rescue team members led the family out about 7:30 p.m., Kelley said.
Family members were grateful to rescuers, but too sheepish to talk with a 7NEWS photojournalist about their misadventure.
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