Body of Missing Boater Recovered at Lake Pueblo After Boat Capsize

Description: The capsized fishing boat and debris field as seen from a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Patrol Boat. (CPW/Photo) Colorado Parks and Wildlife recovered the body of a missing boater after a boat capsized on Lake Pueblo. Officials urge visitors to wear life jackets during water recreation. Read the Full Incident Report from CPW...

Update: Body of missing boater recovered at Lake Pueblo

PUEBLO, Colo - At approximately 9:23 p.m., the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Maritime Emergency Response Team located and recovered the body of the missing boater. Officers returned to the south boat ramp where the body was turned over to the Pueblo County Coroner.

Earlier in the evening, the body of a dog was recovered from underneath the capsized boat and turned over to animal control officers.  

“Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers our condolences to the family and friends of the victim, and everyone involved in this tragic incident,” said Joe Stadterman, Lake Pueblo State Park Manager.

Throughout the water recreation and boating season, CPW encourages all park visitors participating in water recreation activities to always wear a life jacket. Life jackets keep your airway clear of water and support your body should you stop swimming or become unconscious.

March 13, 2026

Officers continue search after boat capsizes on Lake Pueblo

PUEBLO, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officers continue the search tonight for a likely drowning victim after a survivor swam ashore following a boat capsize incident on Lake Pueblo State Park near Pedro’s Point.  

Initial 911 calls came in at 12:48 p.m. and officers were headed on-scene with a sonar-equipped patrol boat by 1 p.m. when they were waved down by a civilian boat transporting the survivor into the south marina. 

The survivor had self-rescued, swimming to shore approximately 100 yards away and then waved down another boater. The boater picked up the survivor, made the 911 call and headed into the south marina. Heading into the marina, the CPW Patrol Boat came alongside and officers were quickly briefed on one missing boater from the capsized boat. 

Officers immediately initiated a sonar grid search and radioed details to other first responders including a UCHealth Lifeline helicopter that supported search efforts in the first hour of the response. 

Pueblo West Firefighters evaluated the rescued boater and an American Medical Response team transported him to Parkview-Pueblo West Emergency Services. The CPW Maritime Emergency Response Team continues their search tonight with an Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle. 

Water depth in the response area is approximately 40 feet with temperatures at 44 degrees at the time of incident. The capsized boat, a 14-foot flatbottom fishing boat with a 6-horsepower engine and trolling motor, was swamped by whitecaps. The boat was equipped with lifejackets but they were not worn.

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