OUTDOORS

water-related deaths occurring in lakes and reservoirs.

( e parks agency clari ed to Colorado Community Media that it is keeping an uno cial tally. Said Duncan: “ ere is no statewide authority on water-related deaths in Colorado, though CPW has been tracking them in recent years ... CPW handles investigations on properties we manage and often gets asked to assist in searching for victims or evidence in other jurisdictions. But CPW is not the overarching authority on water-related deaths for the entire state.”)

In 2022, there were 42 water-related fatalities in Colorado, which was up from 22 in 2021, and 34 in 2020, according to the agency.

“In 2022, the majority of fatalities occurred from people swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking or using an in atable of some kind, and the vast majority were not wearing a life jacket,” the agency said in a news release. “CPW wants to remind the public that paddle boards and kayaks are considered vessels, and life jacket requirements apply.” e parks agency also recommends all boaters and passengers wear a life jacket while on the water.

“Regardless of your age or experience level, the data shows that life jackets save lives,” Grant Brown, boating safety program manager for