The balloon finally landed in a field but there was no word on whether or not the boy was still inside. CNN was reporting that the boy may have fallen out of the balloon as it went airborne.
The bizarre scene played out live on television and prompted fears that the flying saucer-shaped balloon would crash with the young child inside. The balloon rotated slowly in the wind, tipping precariously at times.
Cathy Davis of the Larimer County Sheriff's Department told CNN the balloon was owned by the boy's parents.
"We'll just have to respond the best we can," Davis said. "This is a first and we'll do what we need to do."
The Colorado Army National Guard was preparing to launch an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter to help in the response effort, said Capt. Michael Odgers. It wasn't immediately clear what role the helicopter would play.
