James Earl Dean, 52, left his home in the 7000 block of West Iowa Avenue in Lakewood, Colorado, on December 1, 1996, for a solo cross-country trip reported to be bound for Red Rocks National Monument in Utah. He was driving a 1983 Ford Ranger pickup and was said to be planning camping and skiing. Family expected updates but heard nothing; Dean was reported missing to the Lakewood Police Department on January 7, 1997.

The investigation produced few leads and went cold for more than two years. It remains unknown if Dean ever reached Utah or what happened after he left Colorado.

If anyone saw James Dean, his truck, or has information about travel along his route in December 1996 through early 1999, please share what is known.