Colorado Hiker Killed by Mountain Lion in Shocking ‘Rare’ Attack

Tragedy struck the Colorado wilderness this week when a woman was mauled to death by a mountain lion while hiking the remote Crosier Mountain trail in Larimer County. Officials say the shocking incident marks the first deadly mountain lion attack in the state since 1999.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed the woman, whose identity has not yet been released, was found dead Thursday evening after another group of hikers spotted the big cat standing over her body. The witnesses reportedly hurled rocks to drive the predator away before calling authorities.

“This is every hiker’s worst nightmare,” said CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose. “We are still working to determine whether one or more mountain lions were involved in this tragic attack.”

Authorities later euthanized two mountain lions found nearby — a standard response under state policy when an animal fatally attacks a human. Wildlife officers are still searching for a possible third cat believed to have been part of the same group.

Residents of the nearby mountain community say sightings of the big cats have increased this winter. Kellie Mahoney, who owns a cabin near the site of the attack, told ABC News she had previously spotted a family of four mountain lions on her property.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Mahoney said. “I saw one big cat and then suddenly all you see are pairs of glowing eyes coming down off the mountain. There were four of them together — I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Mountain lions are more likely to descend to lower elevations during the winter as they track deer and elk herds, wildlife officials say. Hikers are urged to stay alert, make noise, and appear larger if they encounter one. Pets should always be kept leashed and never left to roam.

The Estes Park Police Department expressed condolences to the victim’s family in a statement on social media, calling the death “an unimaginable loss.”

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” the department wrote.

The U.S. Forest Service has since closed sections of the Crosier Mountain trail system while investigators process the scene and monitor wildlife in the area.

While mountain lion sightings are not uncommon in Colorado — where an estimated 3,800 to 4,400 of the animals roam — fatal attacks are exceptionally rare. Before Thursday’s incident, the last confirmed deadly encounter was nearly three decades ago.

Wildlife biologists say the surge in sightings this season is a reminder of how thin the boundary between human recreation and wild territory has become.

“This tragedy underscores that mountain lions are powerful predators, and the wilderness demands respect,” Van Hoose said. “We share their home — and must never forget that.”