Missing paddleboarder recovered from Chatfield Reservoir
July 7, 2025
Kara Van Hoose
Northeast Region Public Information Officer
303-829-7143 / [email protected]
LITTLETON, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife, South Metro Fire Rescue, West Metro Fire Rescue and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office recovered the body of a missing paddleboarder from Chatfield State Park Monday evening. The CPW Marine Evidence Recovery Team (MERT) also assisted in the search.
According to witnesses, a man and his two children were sharing one paddleboard when a large wind gust knocked them into the reservoir around 4:25 p.m. Nearby paddleboarders witnessed the incident and rescued the two children. CPW park rangers, South Metro and West Metro divers and the MERT officers responded and searched the water for the missing man using sonar and an underwater drone. The victim was recovered around 7:15 p.m. and was not wearing a life jacket.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office will conduct a death investigation of the incident. The Jefferson County Coroner will release the victim’s identity.
Always wear a life jacket while boating, kayaking, paddleboarding and recreating on the water in Colorado. Chatfield offers a free life jacket loaner station for any visitor. Weather conditions can change quickly at the park with sudden, strong wind gusts, and visitors are encouraged to check weather forecasts before heading outdoors.
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
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