Recent drownings make 2022 the deadliest year on Colorado waters
DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- Recent drownings in northern Colorado and on the Western Slope have made 2022 the deadliest year ever on Colorado waters, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
CPW said a recent double drowning at Dillon Reservoir and another in the Corn Lake section of James M. Robb Colorado River State Park pushed the number of water recreation-related fatalities to 36 this year in Colorado. 34 of these have been recreation-related drownings.
The previous record for water fatalities and drownings was set in 2020, with 34.
“Some common themes we saw in some of the drownings this year was the use of alcohol and people swimming from shore, on innertubes, or paddling,” said CPW Boating Safety and Registrations Program Manager Grant Brown.
As we head into winter, many mountain reservoirs freeze over or close, but boating opportunities continue year-round in warmer areas. CPW doesn’t want people boating or fishing from shore to relax or forget their water safety practices.
CPW advises the following boating safety tips before heading out onto the water. Before going onto the water make sure you are carrying essential safety gear:
- Wear your life jacket when on or near the water.
- Check the condition of your boat and all required boating safety gear.
- Avoid boating alone and tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
- Boat sober. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths.
- Stand-up paddleboards are considered vessels in Colorado and require a life jacket on board at all times.
- Be knowledgeable of ice conditions before ice fishing.
- Waterfowl hunters should be especially careful when hunting from a boat and wearing waders.
To learn more about water and boating safety, visit: https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/BoatingSafety.aspx
