UPDATE: A Colorado woman was tragically mauled to death by a mountain lion on New Year’s Day, marking the first fatal attack by the animal in over two decades. The incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. on the Crosier Mountain Trail in unincorporated Larimer County, according to officials.
Witnesses, a group of hikers, discovered the woman lying on the ground and reported seeing a mountain lion nearby from approximately 100 yards away. Authorities confirmed that the hikers attempted to scare the lion away by throwing rocks before they attempted to assist the woman, who was unfortunately unresponsive.
Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene and shot the mountain lion, which fled but was later tracked down and euthanized. A second mountain lion was also found nearby and subsequently euthanized, as per Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) policy to ensure public safety. It remains unclear if one or both animals were involved in the fatal attack.
The victim’s identity has not yet been disclosed, but her family has been notified. Preliminary reports indicate she was hiking alone at the time of the attack, and her body showed clear signs of a mountain lion attack, according to CPW Spokesperson Kara Van Hoose.
Local law enforcement, including the Larimer County sheriff and police from Estes Park, are actively investigating. Volunteer firefighters and a biologist conducting a deer survey by helicopter have also aided in the efforts.
CPW will conduct necropsies on the euthanized mountain lions to check for abnormalities or diseases like rabies. The Crosier Mountain Trail, situated near the Wyoming border and close to Rocky Mountain National Park, is known for its seclusion, often resulting in a loss of cell signal for hikers.
Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare in Colorado, with 28 previous instances reported since 1990. The last fatal attack occurred in 1999. Despite this, CPW urges the public to remain vigilant, especially during winter when mountain lions are more visible as they follow deer and elk to lower elevations.
“Hikers along the Front Range and in Larimer County should expect to encounter wildlife,” CPW emphasized. They recommend making noise to scare off lions, holding objects overhead to appear larger, and backing away slowly if confronted. Additionally, pets should be kept on leashes and not allowed to interact with wildlife.
This shocking incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers while hiking in secluded areas. Authorities continue to investigate and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for further developments on this tragic story.
