Woman Killed By Mountain Lion In Colorado; First Such Killing In Over 25 Years
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Woman Killed By Mountain Lion In Colorado; First Such Killing In Over 25 Years

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The Identity Of The Victim Has Not Yet Been Released, But Trails Are Being Shut Down As An Investigation Is Underway

In the afternoon of the first day of the new year, January 1, 2026, a female hiker was reportedly found dead on the Crosier Mountain trail in Larimer County, Colorado.

Other hikers who reported finding the woman’s body informed authorities that there was a mountain lion seen within 100 yards of the deceased woman.

At approximately 12:15 p.m. that day, officers with Colorado Parks & Wildlife and the Estes Park Police Department, as well as deputies from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and firefighters with the Glen Haven Area Volunteer, responded to the scene.

According to a press release by Colorado Parks & Wildlife, “Officers located one lion at the scene, shot the animal and it ran from the area.”

From there, officers then proceeded to pursue the injured mountain lion, with Colorado Parks & Wildlife detailing:

“Officers tracked the mountain lion and it was euthanized. A short time later, a second mountain lion was found nearby and euthanized. It is unknown if one or multiple animals were involved in the suspected attack.”

The department added that “wildlife involved in attacks on humans must be euthanized to ensure public safety,” and this was done in keeping with the Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s official policies.

As an investigation is underway into the killing, pathologists with Colorado Parks & Wildlife will perform a necropsy on the bodies of the two mountain lions. Through these analyses, the department will be checking for “abnormalities and neurological diseases like rabies and avian influenza.”

Further, after the Larimer County Coroner has conducted its analysis of the victim, it will release the identity of the deceased woman and provide a formal cause of death.

Colorado Parks & Wildlife noted, “Mountain lion attacks on humans in Colorado are considered to be rare, with 28 previous attacks reported to CPW since 1990. The last fatal attack was in 1999.”

The Response To The Fatal Attack

While the identity of the victim has not yet been released by the Larimer County Coroner, the Estes Park Police Department posted a message about the fatal mountain lion attack.

“The Town of Estes Park is deeply saddened by the tragic news of a suspected fatal mountain lion attack that occurred on the Crosier Mountain trail in unincorporated Larimer County yesterday,” wrote the police department on its Facebook page on January 2. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We offer our sincere condolences to all those grieving this heartbreaking loss.”

The department went on to write, “While this incident did not occur in Estes Park, many of our residents and visitors regularly recreate in the surrounding national forests and open spaces.”

As a statement of caution, the department concluded its post, writing, “Our beautiful landscape is home to abundant wildlife, even if it is not always visible to us.”

Similarly, Colorado Parks & Wildlife wrote in its press release:

“Along the Front Range and Larimer County, hikers and people enjoying the outdoors should expect to encounter wildlife. Mountain lions are more visible in winter as they follow deer and elk to lower elevations. If lions are spotted, make noise to scare them from the area, hold objects overhead to appear bigger and start backing away from the animal. Pets should be kept on-leash and not interact with wildlife.”

This is a developing story.

The press conference regarding the attack may be viewed, here:

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