LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — A 27-year-old natural resources ranger has died while on duty at Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins.
Thursday night around 9:18 p.m., the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office communications center was notified that a Larimer County Department of Natural Resources Ranger was missing after a strong wind event on Horsetooth Reservoir.
One camper, Sheryl Hafar, said her camper started shaking from the gusts of wind.
The ranger’s boat was found on the water, but the ranger’s body was not found until about 3 a.m.
The ranger has been identified as Brendan Unitt of La Salle.
About an hour before Unitt’s death the Poudre Fire Authority had been called to the reservoir for reports of other boaters who had fallen into the water.
An investigation into what happened is continuing. It’s unclear if he was wearing a life vest at the time and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office has not released details about how or why Unitt was in the water.
Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith
“It is with very heavy hearts that we acknowledge the death of a Larimer County Department of Natural Resources Ranger at Horsetooth Reservoir last evening. He died while on boat patrol.
Our County Park Rangers dedicate themselves to creating a safe environment for visitors. That dedication comes with risk and last night, the community was reminded of the dangers that Rangers face in fulfilling their duties.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the Ranger’s family and fellow DNR employees who are experiencing great loss.”
