Woman Killed by Mountain Lion in Colorado

LARIMER COUNTY, CO — A woman was killed in what officials believe was a rare mountain lion attack in northern Colorado, the state’s first suspected fatal encounter with the animal in more than two decades.

Hikers on the Crosier Mountain trail in unincorporated Larimer County reported seeing a mountain lion near a person lying on the ground about 12:15 p.m. Thursday, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The hikers threw rocks to scare the animal away and then attempted to help the adult woman, but one witness who was a physician did not find a pulse, agency spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said.

The woman, who authorities believe was hiking alone, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity and the official cause of death will be determined by the Larimer County coroner.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said investigators found signs consistent with a mountain lion attack, though it has not been confirmed whether one or more animals were involved. State policy requires wildlife involved in attacks on humans to be euthanized for public safety.

Officials launched a large search involving local law enforcement, firefighters, a wildlife biologist conducting aerial surveys and houndsmen using tracking dogs. One mountain lion found at the scene was shot and later euthanized after fleeing, and a second lion located nearby was also euthanized. Necropsies will be conducted to test for disease and the presence of human DNA.

Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare in Colorado. The agency has recorded 28 attacks since 1990, with the last fatal incident occurring in 1999, when a 3-year-old was killed. Colorado is home to an estimated 3,800 to 4,400 mountain lions, which are classified as a big game species and can be hunted.

Officials described the area as remote and heavily wooded, noting that mountain lions are more visible in winter as they follow deer and elk to lower elevations. Wildlife officials advise hikers to make noise, keep pets leashed, avoid running and slowly back away while appearing larger if they encounter a mountain lion.