48-Year-Old Man Dies in Boating Accident at Lake Pueblo Park

Victim's body recovered after boat capsized in high winds

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:52pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers recovered the body of a 48-year-old Howard man, Evans C. Downie, on Friday night after his boat capsized at Lake Pueblo State Park. Downie and a dog onboard both died in the incident, which occurred when whitecaps swamped the 14-foot flatbottom fishing boat. One survivor managed to swim to shore and call for help, but life jackets on the boat were not being worn at the time.

Why it matters

Boating accidents at Colorado's state parks are relatively rare, but this tragic incident highlights the importance of always wearing life jackets during water recreation, as they can be critical in keeping people afloat and preventing drownings when boats capsize or people fall overboard.

The details

The emergency response began following initial 911 calls at 12:48 p.m. on March 13. By 1 p.m., CPW officers were headed to the scene with a sonar-equipped patrol boat when they were signaled by a civilian boat transporting the lone survivor, who had managed to swim approximately 100 yards to shore. The search operation involved a sonar grid search, support from a helicopter, and the deployment of an Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle to search the 40-foot deep waters, where the water temperature was 44 degrees at the time.

  • The fatal accident occurred on March 13 when whitecaps swamped the 14-foot flatbottom fishing boat.
  • The emergency response began following initial 911 calls at 12:48 p.m. on March 13.
  • Downie's body was located and recovered at approximately 9:23 p.m. on March 13.

The players

Evans C. Downie

A 48-year-old man from Howard, Colorado who died when his boat capsized at Lake Pueblo State Park.

Joe Stadterman

The Lake Pueblo State Park manager who offered condolences to the victim's family and friends.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers our condolences to the family and friends of the victim and everyone involved in this tragic incident.”

— Joe Stadterman, Lake Pueblo State Park Manager

What’s next

The Pueblo County Coroner stated that the cause and manner of Downie's death are pending further investigation.

The takeaway

This accident underscores the importance of always wearing life jackets during boating activities, as they can be the difference between life and death when unexpected incidents occur on the water. Colorado's state parks aim to promote safe recreation, and this tragedy will likely lead to renewed education efforts around proper safety equipment and procedures.