Latest news with #CPW
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pueblo coroner identifies man who died in June 7 swimming accident at Lake Pueblo
The third apparent drowning at Lake Pueblo in less than a month was identified June 10 by the Pueblo County Coroner's Office as a 44-year-old Centennial man. Daniel Duane Strawn was found at Rock Creek Cove floating unconscious on the afternoon of June 7. He was pronounced dead on the scene despite life-saving efforts. CPW rangers responded at 2:11 p.m. to a report of an unconscious man, later identified as Strawn, who allegedly jumped into Rock Creek Cove because "they were hot," according to witnesses. Nearby witnesses who were swimming and water skiing soon saw Strawn floating unconscious, and with the help of a nearby boater, pulled him into a boat and began CPR before calling 911. CPW rangers arrived within six minutes, and one of the rangers jumped into the boat, taking over CPR on the victim. The boat drove to the North Boat Ramp, where CPR continued. A Flight for Life helicopter landed at the park, but Strawn was already dead. 'This death is under investigation, but it appears to be a tragic accident,' Lake Pueblo Park Manager Joe Stadterman said in a news release. 'We offer our condolences to the family and friends of this victim.' Stadterman said in the release that the death is especially troubling given all the recent efforts by CPW to raise awareness of water safety with park guests. CPW officers installed two life-jacket loaner stations at Lake Pueblo State Park where lake users can borrow a life jacket for free. The stations are located at the South Fishing and Sailboard areas. 'This is yet another heartbreaking loss of life,' Stadterman said. 'It underscores the message we have been stressing to recreate responsibly and to wear life preservers when on or near the water." Strawn's death is the third apparent drowning at Lake Pueblo since mid-May: Derrick Lee Vigil, 28, drowned when his fishing boat capsized at Lake Pueblo on May 30; on May 14, Manuel DeJesus Villanueva Miranda, 53, died after he went into the lake to help his two children and their friends as they struggled to swim in rough waters. None of the victims were wearing life jackets at the time of their apparent drownings, according to CPW. Wear a life jacket. Put a whistle on your jacket so you can call for help. Be aware of your surroundings — the water gets deep quickly. Be aware of the weather, high winds and storms can come up fast. Check your boat and all required boating safety gear. Avoid boating alone and tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Boat sober. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths. Know that stand-up paddleboards are considered vessels in Colorado and require a life jacket on board at all times. Protect yourself from the dangers of cold water immersion and shock. Regardless of your age or experience level, cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency. More on Lake Pueblo water safety: Colorado Parks and Wildlife urges water safety at Lake Pueblo this summer Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@ Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Man who drowned at Lake Pueblo on June 7 identified by coroner
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fisherman who drowned at Lake Pueblo identified by coroner
A fisherman who drowned at Lake Pueblo on May 30 has been identified. Derrick Lee Vigil, 28, drowned when his fishing boat capsized at Lake Pueblo on May 30, according to the Pueblo County Coroner's Office. In a May 31 news release, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said two adults were able to swim to shore after the boat overturned in high winds, but Vigil initially could not be found. CPW was alerted to a capsized boat in Boggs Creek Cove around 8 p.m. Friday, according to the release. The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office and Pueblo West Fire Department responded with CPW to search for the missing angler, and multiple boats with sonar capabilities, an underwater robot, a drone to scan shorelines, and thermal cameras were used in the search. Vigil's body was recovered around 6:30 p.m. on May 31 by CPW's Marine Evidence Recovery Team and Lake Pueblo rangers after a nearly 23-hour search. CPW noted in its release that none of the three anglers were wearing life jackets when the boat capsized. 'Always wear a life jacket while boating, kayaking, paddle boarding and enjoying water recreation in Colorado. Lake Pueblo offers a free life jacket loaner station for any visitor,' CPW officials said in the release. 'Weather conditions can change quickly at Lake Pueblo with sudden, strong wind gusts, and visitors are encouraged to check weather forecasts before heading outdoors. 'Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the victim,' Lake Pueblo State Park Manager Joe Stadterman said in the release. 'Any loss of life in our state parks is a terrible day. We thank the responding agencies for their work and park visitors for their patience during the operation.' The man's drowning marked the second at Lake Pueblo in just over two weeks. On May 14, a man died at the lake's Sailboard Beach after he went into the lake to help his children and their friends after he saw them struggling to swim in rough waters. Wear a lifejacket. Put a whistle on your jacket so you can call for help. Be aware of your surroundings — the water gets deep quickly. Be aware of the weather, high winds and storms can come up fast. Check your boat and all required boating safety gear. Avoid boating alone and tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Boat sober. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths. Know that stand-up paddleboards are considered vessels in Colorado and require a life jacket on board at all times. Protect yourself from the dangers of cold water immersion and shock. Regardless of your age or experience level, cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency. Public safety news: Pueblo police say armed shoplifting suspect struck and killed by police vehicle Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin Reutter at jreutterma@ Follow him on X at @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Lake Pueblo drowning victim identified by coroner
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
CPW conducting sonar search after possible drowning reported at Lake Pueblo State Park
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is conducting a search and rescue operation after a possible drowning was reported at Lake Pueblo State Park's south fishing area. An initial call came in at 7:10 p.m. Thursday, according to Dean Miller, spokesperson for CPW's southeast region. Park boat patrol teams were on the scene Thursday night conducting a grid search with sonar, Miller said. CPW's marine evidence team was also on the scene with additional sonar and an underwater drone. "We will continue an active search as long as it takes," Miller said. If a drowning is confirmed, it will be the fourth at the lake in just over a month. The last was Daniel Duane Strawn, who was found at Rock Creek Cove floating unconscious on the afternoon of June 7. He was pronounced dead on the scene despite life-saving efforts. Prior to that, Derrick Lee Vigil, 28, drowned when his fishing boat capsized at Lake Pueblo on May 30, and Manuel DeJesus Villanueva Miranda, 53, died May 14 after he went into the lake to help his two children and their friends as they struggled to swim in rough waters. None of the latter three victims were wearing life jackets at the time of their apparent drownings, according to CPW. Wear a life jacket. Put a whistle on your jacket so you can call for help. Be aware of your surroundings — the water gets deep quickly. Be aware of the weather, high winds and storms can come up fast. Check your boat and all required boating safety gear. Avoid boating alone and tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Boat sober. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths. Know that stand-up paddleboards are considered vessels in Colorado and require a life jacket on board at all times. Protect yourself from the dangers of cold water immersion and shock. Regardless of your age or experience level, cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency. More public safety news: Pueblo man pleads guilty to vehicular homicide in 2023 crash Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@ Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Search underway after possible drowning reported at Lake Pueblo
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Wolf pups sighted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff, agency confirms
Colorado wildlife officials have sighted wolf pups. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is monitoring four wolf den sites, spokesperson Travis Duncan told the Coloradoan. The Coloradoan asked where wolf pups were sighted, but Duncan did not include that information. "CPW staff have begun to get minimum counts of pups by both direct observations and indirect methods," Duncan said in an email. "It is important to note that sighting numbers (especially from early season sightings) are not a guaranteed number of animals since certainty in detection is low, based on continued denning, moving to rendezvous sites and being in varied habitat." Five of the 15 wolves captured in British Columbia and released in Colorado in January have died in less than six months after the latest wolf death in the northwest part of the state. The survival rate of 67% falls below the survival rate of 70% outlined in the state's wolf recovery plan. Of the wolves that have died, three were males and two were females. Colorado Parks and Wildlife recently confirmed four wolf attacks on livestock in nine days in Pitkin County in May, prompting the agency to lethally remove a member of the Copper Creek pack. The agency deemed three subsequent livestock deaths on the same ranches "inconclusive." The confirmed depredation spree took place on three ranches approximately 14 miles apart, including one Pitkin County rancher Tom Harrington previously said he was told houses a wolf den with a new litter of pups. One of Harrington's calves was killed May 23 and was among the confirmed wolf kills. Ranchers claim the parents of the litter are the breeding female of the Copper Creek pack and a male from British Columbia. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff sight wolf pups, monitor dens
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Colorado Confirms Multiple Wolf Pup Sightings
Wolf pups have been spotted in Pitkin County, Colorado, according to several sources, including a rancher whose calf was attacked by wolves this spring. Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed that it has seen pups in an emailed statement to Outdoor Life, and that their employees are continuing to monitor four den sites. 'CPW staff have begun to get minimum counts of pups by both direct observations and indirect methods,' the spokesperson wrote. 'It is important to note that sighting numbers (especially from early season sightings) are not a guaranteed number of animals since certainty in detection is low, based on continued denning, moving to rendezvous sites and being in varied habitat.' The agency declined to provide a specific pup count, and did not reply to a request for clarification on whether or how they're using trail cameras to monitor the pups. CPW also did not specify the county or counties of the den sites. But a Pitkin County rancher says at least some wolf pups are denning a quarter mile from his cows, according to the Colorado Sun, and that CPW officials are planning to use strategically placed roadkill to draw wolves away from his vulnerable new calves. One of the rancher's calves was attacked by a wolf over Memorial Day weekend, and he suspects the nearby pups are part of the Copper Creek Pack. On May 29 CPW officials euthanized a gray wolf from the Copper Creek Pack that had been chronically preying on livestock in Pitkin County. The Copper Creek Pack was trapped in the fall after multiple depredation incidents in another county, and ultimately released again in January. Fifteen wolves were captured in British Columbia and released in Pitkin and Eagle counties around the same time. The rancher, Mike Cerveny, is one of many stockgrowers frustrated by the way the reintroduction has threatened his livelihood. Cerveny told the Sun that he's not anti-wolf, 'just like I'm not an anti-crocodile or anti-hippo guy. Like, everything has its own area and place to be where they thrive. But do I think wolves should be dropped off in the freaking first week of January, when it's 20 below, next to my cows? Uh, no. I think this is the dumbest thing in the world.' While CPW has not yet released any formal statements about this year's pups, the agency has been publicizing its efforts to raise funding for non-lethal wolf mitigation through its speciality license program. On Tuesday the agency reported that selling some 18,000 'Born to Be Wild' vehicle license plates has raised almost $950,000 for conflict mitigation. Read Next: Colorado Officials Euthanize 'Chronic' Problem Wolf That Was Killing Livestock 'This special license plate allows Colorado residents to support ranchers by providing funding to CPW for non-lethal conflict minimization tools and programs and programs,' said CPW Director Jeff Davis. 'The hope is that this program will get the public engaged and increase overall sales of the license plate, in turn reducing impacts with livestock. These efforts help support the implementation of the state's Wolf Restoration and Management Plan and CPW's implementation of the state statute to restore a self-sustaining gray wolf population, all while supporting rural ways of life and the robust livestock industry that is such a critical component of Colorado's culture and economy.' Funds raised through the program include support for the state's range rider program, where riders on horseback or four-wheelers patrol livestock areas and haze wolves as necessary. In March, Colorado nearly drained its depredation compensation fund when it approved $343,000 in livestock losses.
