This is truly tragic.
On Thursday, a woman in Colorado who went on a hiking trip was killed by a mountain lion.
The woman who was attacked was discovered by other hikers on the trail, but when they came to her body, she already had no pulse.
Fox News reported more on the tragic incident:
A woman’s death in Colorado is suspected to have been caused by a mountain lion attack, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which notes that the last fatal mountain lion attack in the state occurred in 1999.
“Around 12:15 this afternoon, hikers on the Crosier Mountain trail in Larimer County observed a mountain lion near a person lying on the ground from about 100 yards away,” a Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson explained during a news conference on Thursday.
The hikers then scared the mountain lion off by tossing rocks at it, she said.
“One of the witnesses is a physician,” but “did not find a pulse,” she noted, adding that the incident is being investigated as a suspected deadly mountain lion attack.
A search effort yielded the discovery of two mountain lions which were both killed.
CBS News reported more on the attack:
Backup here if needed:
A woman was killed in a suspected mountain lion attack while she was hiking alone in the mountains of northern Colorado on Thursday — the state’s first fatal attack in over 25 years, officials say. pic.twitter.com/JnzWcaBEEN
— ABC News (@ABC) January 2, 2026
Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported more on the vicious attack:
CPW officers, Larimer County Sheriff deputies, Estes Park police and Glen Haven Area Volunteer firefighters responded to the area to launch an extensive search for any mountain lions. A CPW biologist who was conducting aerial deer surveys in the county was able to assist in spotting and personnel transportation. Houndsmen assisted by using dogs to track the scent of lions.
Officers located one lion at the scene, shot the animal and it ran from the area. Officers tracked the mountain lion and it was euthanized. A short time later, a second mountain lion was found nearby and euthanized. It is unknown if one or multiple animals were involved in the suspected attack. According to CPW policies, wildlife involved in attacks on humans must be euthanized to ensure public safety.
CPW pathologists will perform a necropsy on the animals, checking for abnormalities and neurological diseases like rabies and avian influenza. Larimer County Coroner will release the identity of the victim and cause of death.
Mountain lion attacks on humans in Colorado are considered to be rare, with 28 previous attacks reported to CPW since 1990. The last fatal attack was in 1999.
Along the Front Range and Larimer County, hikers and people enjoying the outdoors should expect to encounter wildlife. Mountain lions are more visible in winter as they follow deer and elk to lower elevations. If lions are spotted, make noise to scare them from the area, hold objects overhead to appear bigger and start backing away from the animal. Pets should be kept on-leash and not interact with wildlife.
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