UPDATE: A woman has tragically died in a suspected mountain lion attack on the Crosier Mountain trail in Larimer County, Colorado, at approximately 12:15 p.m. on October 5, 2023. This rare incident has sent shockwaves through the local hiking community and prompted an extensive investigation by authorities.
Witnesses reported seeing a mountain lion near the victim, who was found lying on the ground about 100 yards away. Hikers attempted to scare the lion away by throwing rocks and rendered aid to the woman, but one witness, a physician, confirmed she had “no pulse,” according to Kara Van Hoose, spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The identity of the victim and the official cause of death are pending release by the Larimer County Coroner. Meanwhile, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is treating the case as a suspected mountain lion attack, with Van Hoose stating, “There were signs that this was consistent with a mountain lion attack but we can’t say for sure.”
Authorities confirmed that the woman was believed to be hiking alone when the attack occurred. An immediate response included Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Larimer County Sheriff deputies, Estes Park police, and volunteer firefighters who launched a search for mountain lions in the area.
During the investigation, one mountain lion was located but fled when officers attempted to capture it. Tragically, it was later tracked down and euthanized for public safety. A second mountain lion was discovered nearby shortly after and was also euthanized. Per Colorado Parks and Wildlife policy, wildlife involved in human attacks must be euthanized.
The agency is conducting necropsies on both mountain lions to check for abnormalities, neurological diseases, and human DNA. If no evidence of human DNA is found, further searches for additional suspects may be necessary.
Mountain lion attacks in Colorado are extremely rare, with only 28 previous attacks reported since 1990. The last fatal attack occurred over 27 years ago, in 1999. Van Hoose emphasized the area’s remoteness and abundant wildlife, saying, “This is an area where mountain lions are really common, along with a lot of other wildlife like bears and moose.”
Officials advise hikers in the Front Range and Larimer County to remain vigilant, especially as mountain lions are more visible in winter months while they follow deer and elk to lower elevations. Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommends that anyone who encounters a mountain lion should make noise, appear larger, and safely back away from the animal.
As investigations continue, the community remains on high alert following this shocking incident. Stay tuned for further updates as authorities work to uncover more details about this tragic event.
