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Search resumes for missing Colo. treasure hunter

Posted at 6:10 AM, Apr 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-28 08:10:25-04

Authorities have resumed the search for a Colorado man who disappeared while hunting for a $2 million cache of gold, jewels and artifacts in a rugged part of New Mexico.

Officials at Bandelier National Monument confirmed Wednesday that a search-and-rescue mission was underway in an area of the monument off-limits to the public.

Bandelier Superintendent Jason Lott declined to provide details but said authorities are encouraging people to stay out of the area, which covers steep slopes and a mass of loose rocks.

The search was triggered by the discovery of a backpack last weekend. Authorities wouldn't say whether it belonged to Randy Bilyeu of Broomfield, Colorado, who disappeared in January.

Bilyeu's dog and raft were found along the Rio Grande northwest of Santa Fe. Volunteers have been using everything from drones to dogs to scan the area.