DENVER (KDVR) — A woman is dead after a suspected mountain lion attack in Larimer County on Thursday afternoon. Authorities euthanized two mountain lions found in the area.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife first reported about the incident at 4:43 p.m., saying it was responding to a suspected mountain lion attack in unincorporated Larimer County, south of Glen Haven.
CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said during a press conference in Glen Haven Thursday evening that a group of hikers on the Crosier Mountain trail noticed a mountain lion near a person laying down from about 100 yards away just after noon. The hikers began to scare the mountain lion away by throwing rocks, and it ran away.
One of the witnesses was a physician, Van Hoose said, who did not find a pulse on the victim.
The incident is being investigated as a suspected fatal mountain lion attack. As far as CPW knows, the woman was hiking alone. Her identity and cause of death will be released by the Larimer County Coroner.
CPW, Larimer County sheriff’s deputies, Glen Haven area volunteer firefighters and Estes Park police officers responded to the area to search for mountain lions in the area. A CPW biologist conducting an annual aerial survey of deer herds aided in the search from the air, and dogs to track scents of mountain lions also responded.
It’s unknown exactly how many animals may have been involved in the attack, and that is still being investigated.
CPW said one lion that was still on the scene was shot by officers, later tracked and euthanized, and another found in the area was also euthanized by officers. CPW policy states that wildlife involved in a fatal attack on humans must be euthanized for public safety. Those lions will be tested for human DNA to confirm if they were responsible for the attack.
The Town of Estes Park released a statement on Friday:
The Town of Estes Park is deeply saddened by the tragic news of a suspected fatal mountain lion attack that occurred on the Crosier Mountain trail in unincorporated Larimer County yesterday, January 1, 2026. Our hearts go out to the victim’s family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We offer our sincere condolences to all those grieving this heartbreaking loss.
While this incident did not occur in Estes Park, many of our residents and visitors regularly recreate in the surrounding national forests and open spaces. Our beautiful landscape is home to abundant wildlife, even if it is not always visible to us.
Town of Estes Park
According to the CPW website, there are a projected 3,800-4,400 mountain lions in Colorado, with populations growing since they were classified as a big game species in 1965. They live mostly in brushy areas and woodlands in the foothills, canyons and mesa country.
The last fatal lion attack on a human in the state was in 1999, and there have been 28 reported attacks on humans since 1990, according to CPW.
Their main source of prey are deer and elk herds, which Van Hoose said brings mountain lions to lower elevations especially this time of year.
This particular area is remote, and Van Hoose said this is an area where someone could take a “pretty secluded hike.”
She added that the animals are common in Larimer County, though attacks are rare. She said all hikers and people doing outdoor activities are encouraged to be aware of the possibilities of encountering wildlife in Colorado.
In the case of an encounter, she said hazing the animal by throwing things, making noise and making yourself look large helps to scare the animal away.
In the last six months, mountain lions have been blamed for several animal deaths around Boulder, Erie and Fort Collins.
More tips and information about safety around mountain lions and other wildlife is available on the CPW website.