Carbon monoxide from camp stove killed campers near Aspen

Carbon monoxide from a camp stove burning in their tent killed a father and son camping near Aspen.

Lightning was initially believed responsible for the deaths of 41-year-old Jeffery Beard and 14-year-old Cameron Beard, both of Colorado Springs, near the Maroon Bells parking lot on July 16. Authorities later said carbon monoxide poisoning was another possibility and toxicology results released late Monday confirmed that the poisonous gas was to blame.

Beard’s 12-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son were sleeping in another tent and survived.

Pitkin County coroner Dr. Steve Ayers told The Aspen Times that lightning woke up the girl, who found her father, who had some burns, and brother dead. He says she kept her surviving brother safe during the storm and got him out safely in the morning.

Family friends are still mourning the loss, sharing their favorite memories of the two.

“I remember when we first moved to the neighborhood, the Beards were the first people to come over and welcome us,” neighbor Greg Jones said. “They were super people, very family oriented, and loved doing outdoor activities.”

Jones’ son, Noah, was good friends with Cameron. He couldn’t even pick a favorite memory because he said they were always having fun.

“We played Nerf guns and jumped on the trampoline,” Noah said.

The Jones hope the tragedy reminds others to take extra precautions when camping, so no other family has to go through the same heartbreak.

Some campers said they’ll keep the accident in mind when they go camping, but it won’t deter them from going.

“My heart goes out for them but they died doing what they love and they wouldn’t want anyone else to stop camping,” John Vullard said.

Vullard is an avid camper. He said he researches each spot before goes camping.

“You have to know the dangers in each area. For some, it’s animals. For Colorado, we have a lot of lightning storms,” he said. “Make sure your gear is in good working order and have a backup plan.

Experts also recommend taking electrical or battery-powered appliances like lanterns, heaters, and cooking devices. If you do take gas or propane-powered items, keep them outside of the tent and be sure to shut them off before you go to sleep.

Those tips are especially important because the effects of carbon monoxide occur faster in higher altitudes.