A tragic incident on a remote Colorado trail has resulted in what authorities suspect is the state's first fatal mountain lion attack in more than a quarter of a century. A woman hiking alone was found dead on Thursday, January 1, 2026, prompting an investigation and a swift response from wildlife officials.
Details of the Tragic Hiking Incident
The victim was discovered along a secluded section of the Crosier Mountain Trail, within a national forest south of the small community of Glen Haven. This area is roughly seven miles northeast of Estes Park, known as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park's eastern entrance. The discovery was made by two other hikers shortly before noon.
Kara Van Hoose, a representative for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, provided chilling details. The hikers encountered a mountain lion near the woman's body. In a brave attempt to reach the victim, they threw rocks to scare the animal away. One of the hikers, a physician, checked the woman but could not find a pulse. The official cause of death and specific injuries have not yet been released to the public.
Wildlife Response and Area Profile
In response to the attack, wildlife officers located two mountain lions in the immediate area and fatally shot them. The search for other potential lions in the vicinity is ongoing. Van Hoose stated that decisions on whether to kill any additional lions found would depend on the circumstances.
The forested region where this tragedy occurred is no stranger to mountain lion sightings. "This is a very common time of year to take mountain lion sightings and reports, especially in Larimer County, where this is very good mountain lion habitat," Van Hoose explained. She described the trails as remote, featuring wooded, rocky terrain with significant elevation changes.
Rarity of Fatal Encounters and Colorado's Lion Population
While sightings are common, fatal attacks on humans in Colorado are exceedingly rare. The state's last suspected fatal mountain lion attack happened in 1999, claiming the life of a 3-year-old child. Prior to that, in 1997, a 10-year-old boy was killed and dragged away by a cougar while hiking with his family in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Mountain lions, also called cougars or catamounts, are formidable predators. They can weigh up to 130 pounds (60 kilograms) and grow longer than six feet. Their primary prey is deer. Colorado supports a healthy population, estimated to be between 3,800 to 4,400 animals. In the state, they are classified as a big game species and are subject to regulated hunting.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the potential dangers in remote wilderness areas, even as officials emphasize that such deadly encounters remain statistically uncommon.
