Wildlife officials in northern Colorado are investigating a rare and tragic incident after a woman was discovered dead on a remote mountain trail on New Year’s Day, with evidence pointing to a possible mountain lion encounter. If confirmed, the case would mark the first fatal mountain lion attack in the state in more than two decades.
According to authorities, the woman was found along the Crosier Mountain trail in an unincorporated area of Larimer County, approximately 20 miles west of Fort Collins. The discovery was made around midday on January 1 by a group of hikers who noticed a large wild cat near an unresponsive person on the ground. The hikers reportedly threw rocks to scare the animal away before approaching to provide assistance.
One of the hikers, identified as a medical professional, attempted to check the woman’s vital signs but found no pulse. Emergency responders and wildlife officers were contacted shortly thereafter.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officials stated that the victim appeared to have injuries consistent with a mountain lion attack. The woman was believed to have been hiking alone at the time. Her identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin, and the official cause of death will be determined by the Larimer County Coroner’s Office following an autopsy.
In response to the incident, CPW coordinated a large-scale search operation involving local law enforcement, park rangers, firefighters, wildlife biologists, and tracking teams with trained dogs. Aerial surveillance was also conducted to locate any animals in the vicinity that may have been involved.
During the search, officers encountered multiple mountain lions in the area. Two animals were tracked and euthanized as part of standard public safety protocols when a wild animal is suspected of being involved in a fatal human encounter. Officials are continuing to monitor the area after reports of additional wildlife activity nearby.
Necropsies are being conducted on the euthanized animals to determine whether they had contact with the victim. Testing includes examinations for neurological illnesses and analysis for possible human DNA. Officials noted that if results are inconclusive, further investigation may continue.
The Crosier Mountain region is known for its rugged terrain, dense forest cover, and diverse wildlife population. Mountain lions, along with bears and moose, are commonly reported in the area, particularly during winter months when prey animals migrate to lower elevations. CPW confirmed that recent reports of mountain lion sightings had prompted temporary warning notices on nearby trails prior to the incident.
Wildlife experts emphasize that fatal encounters with mountain lions remain extremely uncommon. State records show that while non-fatal incidents have occurred over the years, deaths involving mountain lions in Colorado are exceptionally rare, with the last confirmed case dating back to 1999.
Conservation officials point out that as residential development and outdoor recreation continue to expand into natural habitats, occasional interactions between humans and wildlife may increase. However, they stress that such encounters do not indicate growing aggression among mountain lions, but rather increased overlap between human activity and animal territory.
CPW continues to advise hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to remain alert, avoid hiking alone when possible, and take precautions in areas known for large predators. Recommended safety measures include staying aware of surroundings, making noise while hiking, avoiding dawn and dusk outings, and knowing how to respond calmly if wildlife is encountered.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have stated that updates will be provided as additional findings become available.
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