Missing paddleboarder recovered from Eleven Mile Reservoir
August 2, 2025
Kara Van Hoose
Northeast Region Public Information Officer
303-829-7143 / [email protected]
Missing paddleboarder recovered from Eleven Mile Reservoir
LAKE GEORGE, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife recovered an adult man and dog from Eleven Mile State Park late Friday evening.
Around 1 p.m. Friday, three people and a dog were paddleboarding when a large wind storm rolled through the park, blowing the group into the water. One person wearing a life jacket was able to swim to shore. CPW rangers rescued a second person who was tethered to the paddleboard and wearing a life jacket. The third was recovered by CPW’s Marine Evidence Recovery Team just before midnight after an 11-hour search. The victim was not wearing a life jacket. The dog was also recovered.
Harstel Fire and Park County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the search. The Park County Coroner will release the victim’s identity.
CPW strongly encourages recreationists to wear a life jacket while boating, kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming in Colorado. 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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