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Colorado Probes Suspected Mountain Lion Attack That Left Hiker Dead

Officials are testing two euthanized lions for human DNA to confirm involvement.

Overview

  • Hikers on the Crosier Mountain Trail near Glen Haven found an adult woman unresponsive and drove a nearby lion away by throwing rocks, with a physician in the group finding no pulse.
  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife coordinated ground and aerial teams and euthanized two mountain lions in the area in line with agency public-safety policy.
  • Investigators report evidence consistent with a mountain lion attack, but it remains unclear whether one or multiple animals were involved.
  • The Larimer County coroner will release the woman’s identity and official cause of death, and authorities say she was likely hiking alone.
  • If confirmed, this would be Colorado’s first fatal mountain lion attack since 1999, and nearby trailheads were temporarily closed as officials reiterated safety guidance for hikers.