A tragic incident occurred in the mountains of northern Colorado on Thursday when a woman was killed while hiking alone, marking what authorities believe to be the first fatal mountain lion attack in the state in over 25 years. Kara Van Hoose from Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed that wildlife officers later shot two mountain lions in the area to address the potential threat.
The attack took place in the mountainous region south of Glen Haven, approximately 7 miles northeast of Estes Park, which is often regarded as the gateway to the eastern entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. Just before noon, two hikers stumbled upon a mountain lion near the woman's body along a secluded section of the Crosier Mountain trail, situated in a national forest. In a desperate attempt to help her, the hikers threw rocks at the mountain lion to drive it away.
One of the hikers, a physician, attempted to provide assistance but unfortunately could not find a pulse on the victim. As of now, specific details regarding the woman's injuries and the exact cause of death have not been disclosed.
Following the attack, wildlife officials tracked and subsequently killed two mountain lions in the vicinity—one at the scene of the incident and another located nearby. A necropsy will be performed to determine if either of these mountain lions was responsible for the attack on the woman. Additionally, authorities are in search of a potential third mountain lion reported in the area, with efforts ongoing as of Friday.
In light of these events, trails in the affected area remain closed while officials continue to monitor the situation. Van Hoose noted that the decision to kill any additional mountain lions would depend on the circumstances surrounding their behavior.
Mountain lion sightings are relatively common in the forested regions of Larimer County, particularly where the attack occurred. However, Van Hoose emphasized that there have been no recent documented attacks on humans in this area. “This is a very common time of year for mountain lion sightings and reports, especially in Larimer County, known for its excellent mountain lion habitat,” she stated. The terrain consists of wooded areas, rocky landscapes, and varying elevations, which can pose challenges for hikers.
Local resident Gary Messina recounted a harrowing experience he had while running on the same trail in November. His headlamp illuminated the eyes of a mountain lion in the brush, prompting him to snap a quick photo before the animal charged at him. In a moment of panic, Messina threw his phone at the lion, kicked dirt, and yelled to fend it off. After a tense struggle, he managed to break a stick from a downed log and struck the lion, causing it to flee.
Messina later reported his encounter to wildlife officials, who subsequently posted warning signs along the trails in the Crosier Mountain area. These warnings were later removed.
While mountain lion attacks are rare, the last suspected fatal attack in Colorado occurred in 1999, when a 3-year-old child lost their life. Two years prior, a 10-year-old boy was also killed by a mountain lion while hiking with family members in Rocky Mountain National Park. In a more recent incident in Northern California, two brothers were stalked and attacked by a lion; tragically, one of the men was killed.
Mountain lions, also known as cougars, can weigh between 130 pounds and grow to over 6 feet in length, primarily preying on deer. In Colorado, there is an estimated population of 3,800 to 4,400 mountain lions, classified as a big game species that can be legally hunted.