This photo provided by Gary Messina shows a mountain lion in the brush between two trees along the Crosier Mountain trail in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests near Glen Haven, Colo., on Nov 11, 2025. (Gary Messina via AP)
URGENT UPDATE: A woman has been confirmed dead following a suspected mountain lion attack on New Year’s Day in Colorado’s remote Crosier Mountain area. Authorities reported her body was found on a trail, with injuries consistent with a mountain lion attack. This tragic incident marks a shocking escalation in wildlife encounters in the region.
Just weeks earlier, local resident Gary Messina had a harrowing experience on the same trail. On November 11, 2023, while running in the dark, Messina spotted a mountain lion and was forced to fight for his life. He described the terrifying encounter, stating, “I had to fight it off because it was basically trying to maul me.” After throwing his phone and kicking dirt to fend off the animal, he ultimately struck it with a stick until it retreated.
The woman, whose identity is being withheld pending an autopsy by the Larimer County Coroner’s Office, was discovered by two hikers on Thursday afternoon. They reported seeing a mountain lion nearby and even tried to scare it away by throwing rocks. Despite the physician’s efforts to assist the victim, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities from Colorado Parks and Wildlife have taken immediate action, tracking and killing two mountain lions in the vicinity on Thursday. A necropsy will determine if either of these animals was responsible for the fatal attack. A search for a third mountain lion is ongoing, with wildlife officials stating they will assess the situation before making further decisions regarding the animal.
Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare, and the last fatal encounter in Colorado occurred in 1999. With an estimated 3,800 to 4,400 mountain lions residing in Colorado, interactions with humans are becoming more common as populations expand into wildlife habitats. Byron Weckworth, chief conservation officer for the Mountain Lion Foundation, emphasized that while the overlap of human and mountain lion territories increases, the animals are not becoming more aggressive.
Nearby trails remain closed as officials continue their hunt. Authorities are urging hikers to take precautions, including traveling in groups, keeping children close, and avoiding dawn and dusk when mountain lions are most active. In the event of an encounter, they advise maintaining eye contact, making oneself appear larger, and backing away slowly—never running.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by wildlife in areas where human activity intersects with natural habitats. As investigations continue, the community is left in shock over the loss and the troubling rise in dangerous wildlife encounters.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
