Colorado Mountain Lion Invades Hot Tub
Interactions with wildlife are not entirely uncommon in Colorado. With that in mind, make sure you keep an eye out, and be prepared for an imprompteu conversation with that wildlife the next time you want to soak in your hot tub.
That is precisely what happened out near Nathrop over the weekend, as a man and his wife now have a story to tell for the rest of their lives. That story is specifically about unpleasant wildlife encounters, sure, but a story is a story in the age of social media.
In what I can only assume was an attempt to discover the joy of soup at the end of winter, a Colorado mountain lion, presumably, tried to eat a man's head while he was soaking with his wife in the outdoor hot tub at their vacation property. Though, in this scenario, perhaps it would be more accurate to say they were simmering? Either way, it's not a great way to spend a Saturday night.
Luckily, the two were quick enough of wit to shine a flashlight at the animal, while also splashing water and making as much noise as possible, which caused it to give up the attempted mauling. Spokespeople for Colorado Parks and Wildlife are saying that the couple did everything right, short of not almost becoming a mountain lion's bisque in the first place. Then again, if a mountain lion sneaks up on you, there's very little you can actually do on that point.
Again, the couple was able to elude the animal and contact the authorities. Due to the area, however, state wildlife officials declined to hunt the mountain lion, instead setting a trap for it. Now, before you get too scared and start carrying a stun gun to take out the trash, note that this is the first lion attack since February of 2022, and only the 24th to result in injury since 1990. You're about as likely to need to get all Bloodsport with a mountain lion as you are to actually fight Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Thanks to The Denver Post for the original story.