A somber mood hangs over Harvey Gap State Park following a devastating incident Saturday afternoon. High winds and turbulent waves led to the death of an adult paddleboarder who was separated from their board.

Witnesses reported seeing four paddleboarders, none wearing life jackets, struggling against powerful winds on Grass Valley Reservoir. One individual, untethered from their board, vanished beneath the churning water.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers and Garfield County Sheriff’s deputies swiftly responded to the distress call around 3:18 PM. After confirming a missing person, CPW deployed boats equipped with sonar to search for the victim.

The search intensified as evening fell, with CPW’s specialized Marine Evidence Recovery Team (MERT) arriving from Littleton. Their advanced boat and submersible drone, outfitted with sonar, lights, and a camera, scoured the depths.
The grim discovery came at 10 PM when MERT located the body. The Garfield County Coroner will now determine the cause of death and identify the remains.

“This is a profound loss, and our hearts go out to the victim’s loved ones,” said Brian Palcer, Harvey Gap State Park Manager. “We implore everyone to be vigilant about weather conditions and always wear life jackets on or near the water.”

This incident marks Colorado’s fifth water recreation-related fatality in 2024, potentially the sixth drowning if confirmed. CPW expresses gratitude to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in this tragic event.

As a stark reminder, CPW emphasizes that life jackets are mandatory for all watercraft in Colorado, including paddleboards. This incident underscores the critical importance of wearing a life jacket while enjoying any body of water.

©️ The Rocky Mountain Dispatch LLC. 2024