At a Glance
- Woman killed in Colorado mountain lion attack marks first fatal predator case in 25+ years.
- First fatal predator attack in the state in more than 25 years.
- Wildlife officers later shot two lions that day.
- Why it matters: The incident highlights the rare but serious risk of mountain lion encounters in Colorado’s remote wilderness.
A woman was fatally attacked by a mountain lion while hiking alone in the mountains south of Glen Haven, Colorado, on Thursday, marking the first fatal predator attack in the state in more than 25 years, authorities said.
Attack Details
The attack happened along a remote section of the Crosier Mountain trail in a national forest. Two hikers found a mountain lion near the woman’s body shortly before noon. They threw rocks to scare the animal so they could attempt to help the victim.
Kara Van Hoose said:
> “The hikers threw rocks at the animal to scare it from the immediate area so they could try to help the woman.”
> “One of the hikers was a physician who attended to the victim and did not find a pulse.”
- Attack location: south of Glen Haven, 7 miles northeast of Estes Park.
- Trail: Crosier Mountain trail, national forest.
- Response: wildlife officers shot two lions later that day.
Context and Wildlife Information
Van Hoose said the search for other lions in the area was ongoing and that circumstances would dictate whether any additional lions found would be killed. She noted that sightings are common but recent documented human attacks are rare. She described the terrain as remote, wooded, rocky, with elevation changes.
Kara Van Hoose said:
> “Sightings of mountain lions are common in the forested area where the suspected attack occurred, but there have not been any recent documented attacks on humans.”
> “This is a very common time of year to take mountain lion sightings and reports and especially in Larimer County, where this is very good mountain lion habitat.”
> “Trails in this area are in pretty remote land, so it’s wooded, it’s rocky, there’s elevation gains and dips.”
- Last fatal attack in Colorado: 1999 (3-year-old).
- 1997: 10-year-old boy killed.
- 2024: California mountain lion attack – two brothers, one killed.
| Year | Incident | Victim Age | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Colorado fatal attack | 3 | Killed |
| 1997 | Colorado fatal attack | 10 | Killed |
| 2024 | California mountain lion attack | 2 brothers | 1 killed |
- Size: up to 130 lbs, 6 ft long.
- Diet: primarily deer.
- Population: 3,800-4,400 in Colorado.
- Legal status: big game, huntable.
Key Takeaways
- First fatal predator attack in Colorado in 25+ years.
- Wildlife officers shot two lions later that day.
- Mountain lion encounters remain rare but dangerous.
The incident underscores the importance of caution in remote mountain areas and the need for ongoing wildlife monitoring.
