Responding to emergency call of a woman missing from shore, CPW Rangers use underwater drone to quickly locate body in 20 feet of water

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Bill Vogrin
Southeast Region Public Information Officer
719-466-3927 / [email protected]

July 7, 2022

CPW rangers recover body in Lake Pueblo after woman reported missing on shore 

PUEBLO, Colo. – Rangers at Lake Pueblo State Park recovered a body off the popular North Sailboard beach area Thursday shortly after receiving a call for help that a woman had gone missing from shore.

Park Manager Joe Stadterman and his team raced to the beach by boat, arriving within six minutes at 4:37 p.m. An underwater drone known as a Remote Operated Vehicle, or ROV, was deployed to search the 20-feet-deep waters using its sonar, camera and lights. 

The drone located a body just about 10 minutes after it went in the water. The body was taken to shore with the assistance of the Pueblo County Sheriff’s volunteer dive team.

The body was turned over to the Pueblo County Coroner, who will identify the remains, notify relatives and determine the cause of death.

“This death is under investigation, but it appears to be a tragic accident,” Stadterman said. “We offer our condolences to the family and friends of this victim.”

Stadterman said the death is especially troubling given all the efforts by his team to raise awareness of water safety with park guests.

“This is yet another heartbreaking loss of life,” he said. “It underscores the message we have been stressing to recreate responsibly and to wear life preservers when on or near the water.”

If confirmed as a drowning, this death would bring the total to 23 drownings in Colorado in 2022. A record 34 people drowned in Colorado in 2020.