(PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo.) — A man who reportedly drowned at Lake Pueblo State Park after jumping into the water without a life jacket on Saturday, June 7 has been identified by the Pueblo County Coroner.
According to the Pueblo County Coroner, 44-year-old Daniel Duane Strawn of Centennial died as a result of a swimming accident at the lake.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers originally responded around 2 p.m. on Saturday after a 911 call was received reporting someone receiving CPR at the lake. Callers reported that a group of people had been swimming and water skiing at Rock Creek Cove when one of them jumped into the water, saying he was hot. Soon after, he was seen floating unconscious.
A nearby boater pulled the man in his boat and administered CPR before calling 911. A Flight for Life helicopter was called, but the man was unable to be saved. He was later identified by the coroner as Strawn.
Strawn’s death is the third at Lake Pueblo in the last month, and CPW is urging water safety.
According to CPW, one of the main factors that can make the lake dangerous to swimmers and boaters is the temperature. The area around the reservoir is hot, making the surface of the water feel warm, but not far underneath it can be very cold. When a swimmer dives in or a boat overturns, the shock of the water can cause a person’s muscles to cramp up, making it difficult to swim. Because of this, if a person is far from the shore, they will have increased difficulty making it back.
CPW emphasized that there are life jacket loaner stations located at the South Fishing area and the Sailboard area at Lake Pueblo. They are free to borrow and return, so guests don’t need to have life jackets of their own to wear.

