Boulder Mountain Lion Sightings and Attacks One dead in Estes Park Sad
Jan 2nd
BOULDER, Colo. — January 2 2026 A tragic and rare fatal mountain lion attack in neighboring Larimer County has local wildlife experts and residents on high alert, as Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reminds Front Range communities — including Boulder — that big cats are a common part of life in the foothills, with frequent sightings and occasional pet conflicts.
On Thursday, January 1, 2026, a woman hiking alone on the Crosier Mountain Trail south of Glen Haven in unincorporated Larimer County was found dead in what authorities are investigating as a suspected mountain lion attack. This marks Colorado’s first confirmed fatal mountain lion attack on a human since 1999.
Hikers spotted a mountain lion near the woman lying on the ground around 12:15 p.m. The group threw rocks to scare the animal away and rushed to help, with one hiker — a physician — determining she had no pulse. Multiple agencies, including CPW, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Estes Park police, and Glen Haven Area Volunteer firefighters, responded.
Officials closed nearby trailheads, including Crosier Mountain’s Glen Haven, Rainbow, and Garden Gate access points, as well as the Houston Heights Trailhead. An extensive search ensued, aided by aerial support from a CPW biologist conducting deer herd surveys and tracking dogs. Two mountain lions found in the immediate area were euthanized, per CPW policy requiring the removal of wildlife involved in human attacks for public safety. Necropsies will determine if they were directly involved or showed signs of disease.
CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose emphasized during an evening press conference that the woman appeared to have been hiking solo.
The Larimer County Coroner’s Office will release her identity and official cause of death.
Mountain lions are solitary hunters, and it’s unclear if one or more animals were involved in the incident. Colorado is home to an estimated 3,800 to 4,400 mountain lions, with populations thriving in areas like Larimer and Boulder counties, where sightings are frequent — especially in winter when lions follow prey like deer to lower elevations.
Attacks on humans remain extremely rare. CPW has documented only 28 attacks resulting in injury since 1990, with just two confirmed fatalities and one suspected (a child in 1999, also in Larimer County) in the state over that period. Eleven of those injury attacks occurred in the northeast quadrant, which includes both Larimer and Boulder counties. But lions are know to attack solitary trail runners or mt bikers.
In Boulder County itself, no recent fatal or injurious human attacks have been documented, but mountain lion activity — including sightings in neighborhoods and on trails — is common, particularly during winter months. The City of Boulder routinely warns residents of increased activity as lions move to lower elevations in search of food. Recent examples include multiple sightings in north Boulder areas like Iris Avenue and 34th Street in 2025, with residents reporting lions casually strolling sidewalks or appearing in backyards.
More concerning are conflicts involving pets: In the last six months leading up to the Larimer incident, mountain lions have been blamed for several animal deaths around Boulder, Erie, and nearby communities. A notable case occurred in July 2025, when a mountain lion attacked and killed a small, leashed Cavachon dog named Bodhi during an evening walk in the 2400 block of Balsam Avenue in north Boulder. The lion was later captured and relocated by CPW, Boulder Police Animal Protection officers, and Open Space & Mountain Parks rangers after additional sightings in the same neighborhood.
Experts stress that mountain lions typically avoid people, but overlapping habitats in the Front Range can lead to occasional conflicts, usually involving pets or livestock rather than humans.
CPW offers these key safety tips if you encounter a mountain lion:
Do not approach the animal, especially if it’s feeding or with kittens. Give it an escape route.
Stay calm, speak firmly and slowly, and never turn your back or run (running can trigger chase instinct).
Face the lion, stand tall, and appear larger by raising your arms or opening your jacket.
If with children, pick them up.
If the lion acts aggressively, throw rocks, branches, or objects while waving arms and speaking firmly.
If attacked, fight back aggressively — target sensitive areas like eyes and nose — using sticks, rocks, poles, or even bare hands. Many people have successfully driven off lions this way.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder to stay vigilant on trails and in neighborhoods near Boulder and the surrounding mountains. Always hike in groups when possible, keep pets leashed (especially at dawn, dusk, or night), make noise on trails, and be aware of your surroundings in lion country. For more information or to report a sighting, visit the CPW website or call their hotline.
Boulder inexpensive home power before next Wind Storm Tesla or Generac
Jan 2nd
January 2, 2026, Boulder Channel 1 News As severe winds swept across Colorado’s Front Range in recent years, Xcel Energy has increasingly implemented Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) to prevent wildfires sparked by downed power lines—a direct response to the devastating 2021 Marshall Fire, which destroyed over 1,000 homes in Boulder County and was linked in part to utility equipment.
In April 2024, Xcel preemptively cut power to about 55,000 customers during high winds and low humidity, a “last resort” measure to reduce ignition risks. Similar actions occurred in late 2025, with thousands more facing planned outages. These events, while criticized for limited advance notice in some cases, highlight growing concerns over grid reliability during extreme weather.
For Boulder-area homeowners, battery storage systems offer a powerful solution to maintain power when the grid goes dark. These “storage walls”—compact, wall-mounted batteries—store energy from solar panels or the grid, providing seamless backup for essentials like lights, refrigerators, heating, and medical devices.
Tesla Powerwall stands out as a leading option. The latest Powerwall 3 integrates a solar inverter, enabling direct connection to solar panels for high efficiency. A single unit delivers 13.5 kWh of storage and up to 11.5 kW of continuous power—enough for whole-home backup in many cases. Homeowners can stack multiple units for extended duration. When paired with solar, it stores excess daytime energy for nighttime use or outages, and Tesla’s app allows remote monitoring and optimization. Features like Storm Watch automatically charge the battery ahead of forecasted severe weather.
In Colorado, Xcel Energy’s Renewable Battery Connect program incentivizes adoption, offering rebates up to $350 per kW (max $5,000), plus federal 30% tax credits and state incentives—often reducing costs by 50-60%. Xcel even integrates Powerwalls into virtual power plants, allowing utilities to draw from them during peak demand while paying participants.
Generac provides a strong alternative with its PWRcell system, known for modular, scalable design—start small and add capacity as needed. It offers high efficiency and flexibility, appealing to those prioritizing customization. Unlike Tesla’s sleek, all-in-one approach, Generac’s modular setup suits varying home sizes. However, comparisons show Tesla often edges out in upfront cost per kWh, seamless solar integration, and user-friendly app controls, while Generac excels for long-duration needs or hybrid setups.
Smaller batteries, like individual Powerwall units or Generac modules, can power critical loads for hours to days, far outlasting typical outages. Paired with solar, they reduce bills through self-consumption and grid services.
As Colorado faces more frequent high-wind events to avoid another Marshall Fire scenario, these systems enhance resilience. Local installers report surging demand in Boulder, where residents seek independence from unpredictable shutoffs.
Whether choosing Tesla’s innovative, solar-optimized Powerwall or Generac’s flexible batteries, homeowners gain peace of mind—and a step toward clean, reliable energy.
Boulder D.A and Colorado Attorney General could arrest Donald Trumps, Jail him w/o bail and Try him for crimes against Humanity
Jan 1st
January 1, 2026– by Boulder channel 1 News To legally arrest and jail Donald Trump (or any individual) in Colorado without bail, the process must follow established criminal procedure under Colorado law and the state constitution. Note that as of January 1, 2026, there are no active criminal charges, indictments, or arrest warrants against Trump in Colorado—his known legal issues are in other jurisdictions (e.g., federal cases in D.C. and Florida, state cases in New York and Georgia). The Colorado Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling on ballot disqualification was a civil matter under the 14th Amendment, not criminal, and was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2024. Thus, no current basis exists for such an action against him in the state.
However, hypothetically, it could be possible if new circumstances arose that met strict legal thresholds. Here’s a high-level overview of how Colorado’s system works, based on the state constitution (Article II, Section 19, as amended) and statutes like CRS 16-4-101 et seq.:
However, hypothetically, it could be possible if new circumstances arose that met strict legal thresholds. Here’s a high-level overview of how Colorado’s system works, based on the state constitution (Article II, Section 19, as amended) and statutes like CRS 16-4-101 et seq.:
1. Establish Probable Cause for Arrest
Law enforcement (e.g., local police, sheriff’s deputies, or state troopers) must have probable cause to believe a crime was committed and that Trump committed it. This could stem from evidence like witness statements, documents, or investigations.
Arrest could occur with a warrant (issued by a judge after reviewing an affidavit) or warrantless if it’s a felony observed in progress or exigent circumstances exist (CRS 16-3-102).
Without probable cause, any arrest would be unlawful and subject to challenge (e.g., via habeas corpus or suppression motions).
2. Charge with a Qualifying Offense Crimes against Humanity
The district attorney (DA) in the relevant Colorado county (e.g., Denver DA if the alleged crime occurred there) would file charges via complaint or indictment by a grand jury.
For bail to be deniable, the charge must fall under exceptions in the Colorado Constitution (Article II, Section 19):
Capital offenses (though Colorado abolished the death penalty in 2020, this still applies to severe crimes like first-degree murder where “proof is evident or presumption great”).
First-degree murder (per 2024’s Amendment I, which removed the automatic right to bail for such cases if proof is evident).
Crimes of violence (e.g., murder, felony sexual assault, class 1 felonies) where the court finds:
Proof evident or presumption great.
Public safety risk if released.
Likelihood of non-appearance.
Non-qualifying offenses (e.g., misdemeanors or lower felonies) generally entitle the accused to bail.
3. Hold a Bail Hearing and Deny Bail
After arrest, the accused must appear before a judge within 48-96 hours for an initial advisement and bail setting (CRS 16-4-102).
The DA can request bail denial at a hearing, presenting evidence to meet the constitutional thresholds (e.g., clear proof of guilt and danger).
If the judge agrees, bail is denied, and the person remains jailed pretrial. The trial must start within 90 days if bail is denied (to avoid indefinite detention).
Factors considered: Severity of the crime, criminal history, flight risk, and community ties. Appeals are possible to higher courts.
4. Additional Legal Considerations
As a former (and potentially sitting) president, federal protections like Secret Service details and DOJ policies against indicting a sitting president could complicate state actions, though states have independent authority over local crimes.
Any process must comply with due process under the U.S. Constitution (5th and 14th Amendments) to avoid dismissal or civil rights lawsuits.
If charges involve federal matters (e.g., election-related), they might be removed to federal court.
In summary, it’s only possible if Trump were charged with a bail-deniable offense in Colorado supported by strong evidence, following due process. Without that, it’s not legal or feasible. For real-time developments, consult official sources like the Colorado Judicial Branch or a licensed attorney.
