Douglas County teen missing from Highlands Ranch found safe, authorities say

Highlands Ranch teen Taylor Fulte, 17, was found safe Thursday after the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office asked for help locating her following a disappearance that began after she was last seen Tuesday.

Investigators had been looking for the 17-year-old and said she may have been driving a light blue Jeep Grand Cherokee with Colorado license plate EES-U05. The sheriff’s office later said she had been located and was safe, and thanked the community for its help.

The case drew immediate concern because Douglas County authorities say the first 48 hours after a disappearance are the most critical, especially when a child is involved. The sheriff’s office says any missing child under 18 should be reported immediately by calling 9-1-1, not delayed while families wait for more information.

Detectives also ask for recent photos and any details that could help locate a missing person, including clothing, vehicle descriptions, last-known locations and travel patterns. The agency says runaway cases are handled differently from missing-person cases, a distinction that can shape how quickly investigators respond and what resources are used.

For Douglas County families, the safe ending offered relief after a search that centered on a Highlands Ranch teenager and a narrow window for action. The sheriff’s office update Thursday closed the immediate public alert, but it also underscored the urgency investigators place on quick reporting when a young person disappears.