Colorado Parks and Wildlife recovers body of suspected drowning victim at Lake Pueblo State Park

Dean Miller
Southeast Region Public Information Officer
719-466-3927
[email protected]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officers responded Thursday evening to a report of a possible drowning at Lake Pueblo State Park. The CPW Marine Evidence Recovery Team recovered an adult male victim at approximately 1:30 a.m. today who was pronounced dead on the scene by the Pueblo County Coroner.

Witnesses reported that an individual without a life jacket had flipped off an inflatable tube and went under water just after 7 p.m., approximately 30 to 60 yards from shore in the south fishing area. Water temperatures at the time were in the low 70s.

CPW was alerted at 7:15 p.m., CPW officers were on shore at 7:15 p.m. and nearby CPW boat patrol crews were alerted, launched and initiated a grid search with on-board sonar at 7:18 p.m. At the same time, CPW MERT Officers were called in with additional sonar and underwater drones.

The body was turned over to the coroner’s office for identification and an official determination of the cause of death. 

“CPW offers condolences to the family and friends of the victim, and everyone involved in the incident,” said Becky Buist, Operations Manager at Lake Pueblo State Park.

Throughout the water recreation and boating season, CPW encourages all park visitors participating in water recreation activities to always wear a life jacket. A life jacket will keep your airway clear of water and your head above water and support your body should you stop swimming or become unconscious.

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