Fatal Mountain Lion Attack Has Been Followed by a Sighting, Forcing Closure

Some scary and heartbreaking mountain lion activity in the state of Colorado has been alarming people over the last several weeks. Tragedy struck when a woman was the victim of a fatal attack. Following that incident, a separate sighting and 'suspicious behavior' forced officials to briefly close a nearby trail.

Woman Killed in Rare Mountain Lion Attack in Northern Colorado

On January 1, 2026, The Associated Press reported on a mountain lion attack in northern Colorado after a 46-year-old woman was killed on the Crosier Mountain Trail. The authorities described it as the first fatal predator attack in the state in over 25 years.

Kara Van Hoose of Colorado Parks and Wildlife told the media that two mountain lions, one of which was later deemed to have human DNA on its paws, were found in the area and euthanized. The animals were discovered by two people, one of whom was a physician, shortly after the attack. They threw rocks at the pair of lions to scare them away before attempting to help the victim and calling for help.

Days later, Larimer County's website reported on the findings of an investigation that was conducted into the woman's death. A full forensic autopsy was performed on January 5, 2026, by Dr. J. White, D.O., who ruled that the cause of death was a mountain lion attack.

Separate Mountain Lion Behavior Led to a Temporary Trail Closure in Colorado

Roughly three weeks after the fatal attack, a mountain lion was spotted in Colorado's Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, west of Fort Collins. According to a 9 News article on that incident, the animal exhibited "suspicious behavior" toward a hiker by following them, but never got closer than 75 to 100 yards away from the man.

The Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, where the lion followed the hiker, is roughly 20 to 25 miles from the fatal attack site. It was closed in response, with signs posted both in the area and the surrounding neighborhoods. Closures like that are standard protocol in the region when predator sightings take place. Larimer County officials reopened the space the following day and informed the public that the lion hadn't been found.

A March 2024 Colorado Sun article, which focused on increased interactions between people and mountain lions in the area, also quoted Kara Van Hoose. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife official told the outlet that it had been becoming more common for people to come into contact with the animals. “That’s the problem we face every single day. With more and more people choosing to live here and expanding into places not previously developed, mountain lions and humans are interacting more than ever.” At the time, a proposed Front Range mountain lion management plan was under consideration, and it was later approved.