Deadly mountain lion attack on New Year's Day raises questions and concerns on the Colorado trails

As a result of a report seen all over social media, family and friends reached out knowing that we were hiking in the area on New Year’s Day. And while we were hiking on Anne U. White Trail in Boulder, known mountain lion territory, we were not aware that just miles away there had been an attack by a mountain lion on a 46-year-old female.

Initial reports were vague and yielded little information, especially with details that would confirm an attack. It was reported that hikers had come upon the woman laying on the ground with two mountain lions standing nearby. After scaring the mountain lions away, one of the hikers, a physician, checked on the woman and found no pulse. And that led to a lot of conjecture and back and forth of thoughts and theories on social media, especially after the two mountain lions – one male and one female – were found and euthanized.

The Larimer County Coroner’s Office finally confirmed that Kristen Marie Kovatch of Fort Collins, Colorado was, in fact, attacked and killed by a sub-adult mountain lion on the Crosier Mountain Trail near Glen Haven in Larimar County, not far from Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.

According to Kara Van Hoose, Northeast Region Public Information Officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), an autopsy report confirmed the attack and a necropsy conducted on the two euthanized lions found human DNA on all four of the paws of the male lion, although the female did not have any DNA detected.

Kristen Marie Kovatch was an avid runner and hiker, an ultramarathoner, who knew the area and frequented the trails and loved nature and animals.

Apparently, the locals, those in the Glen Haven area, are all too familiar with the mountain lions that have been making the rounds and making the news.

According to CPW, there have been six incidents in recent months of confrontations and attacks by mountain lions, most by those who have lived to tell about

CPW advises that people always be prepared to cross paths with wildlife with the following tips:

Recreate during daylight hours; avoid dawn, dusk and night.
Go with a buddy or in groups when you walk, hike or run.
Make sure children are close to you and within your sight at all times.
Reduce the likelihood of an encounter or an attack by being alert of your surroundings. Look around — scan the sides of hills, the areas around rock outcroppings and under bushes and other vegetation.
Walk with a walking stick — this not only helps you on the trails; it can be used in the rare occasion of wildlife conflict.
Bring bear deterrent spray and make sure it’s stored somewhere handy.
Carry a noise maker or rocks to throw.
Consider leaving your pets at home. They can chase, injure or kill wildlife or be injured or killed themselves if viewed as either a predator or prey.
If you bring dogs, keep them leashed or nearby and under voice command.

Some rocks along the Anne U. White Trail

As for our social media post, it said:

We are aware that a lot of our family and friends have seen the report of the alleged fatal mountain lion attack not far from us. (It’s not proven that the mountain lion actually killed the woman.) Yes, we hike in areas that are known habitats for mountain lions. But please know that we are hyperaware of our surroundings always, and we are always prepared for wildlife encounters. That is part of the fun, thrill, and risk of experiencing nature and being out on the trails. It’s THEIR land…not OUR land. We are in THEIR space. We have had encounters with a lot of wildlife including elk, moose, and even bald eagles. We are vigilant and we stay safe. However if we don’t return from our hike tomorrow, it was nice knowing all of you.

After our post, which was meant for just friends and family who were checking in, it was interesting to see everyone’s take, the public, on the incident that took a life, as well as, how wildlife is viewed.

Patrick M. said: A hike with no predators in the landscape is just a walk.

Priscilla E. said: It’s not their land! We share this land with all of its wildness and its creatures. We must be respectful and vigilant of our beautiful wildlife. We hike understanding that there is risk. We are warned and advised. Nevertheless, we cannot accept or condone the killing of a human by an animal in any circumstance.

Tara H. said: I have been hiking this trail for decades, it is a magical trail and mountain lions have always been part of this habitat. Trail running and mountain biking has increased significantly since COVID shutdown and with our shorter winter days I have heard about several dusk and dawn trail runners. We also have had 4 lions hunted and killed (2 females – at least one of which had 3 young)…Steve is right – “someone forgot their place in the natural order and it wasn’t the cat.”

Scott H. said: I am a huge mountain lion advocate and have seen many. We have 4,000 in this state. If one kills a human then it needs to be dispatched. There are bad humans, bears, lions, etc. This ain’t the Disney Channel…talk to anyone in Glen Haven area and they will tell you this has been ongoing. This bothers me because these fruitcakes not caring about humans getting killed really hurt us lion advocates because they come off detached from reality.

Alice T. said: I’d rather die from a bear or mountain lion than fatal assault on the subway.

Randal C. said: You are an idiot upon idiots. You think you are prepared for wildlife encounters because you’ve seen some moose and elk. You are sorely mistaken if you think you are ready for a mountain lion attack. I wonder if you will feel the thrill of the encounter when the lion sinks it’s fangs into your neck and collapses your windpipe. Grow up fool you are not ready.

It was quite obvious that some people had a very strong stance with regard to wildlife vs. humans, and the way the situation was handled by CPW. There were statements that were very strong, and some that were rather insensitive. It’s a trail that would sometimes be better less traveled.

In reality, we never said we were expert hikers. We’re not naïve. Rather, we are respectful of the habitat that we are encroaching upon, and have a deep love for the nature that we get to enjoy. Randal was a bit harsh, just a bit, but he is somewhat right. Just because you have spotted some deer, or elk, or moose in the wild during a trek, doesn’t mean that you are ever prepared for an animal making its presence known, or worse.

In truth, we have had encounters where we were stopped in our tracks on a trail and had to hunker down until it was safe. Thoughts do run through your head. And right now, the thoughts are with the family who have suffered such a horrible loss, and hoping everyone remains safe out there.