Tragic Drowning at Lake Pueblo: Evans C. Downie of Howard, Colorado, Identified as Victim.

Tragic Drowning at Lake Pueblo, Evans C. Downie of Howard, Colorado, Identified as Victim.

The Pueblo community is mourning the loss of Evans C. Downie, 48, who tragically died in an apparent drowning at Lake Pueblo on March 13, 2026. Downie was recovered from the lake near Pedro’s Point just before 9:30 p.m., following the capsizing of his fishing boat in whitecapped waters. Emergency personnel and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officials responded to the distress call after a survivor managed to swim approximately 100 yards to shore and signal a passing boat.

According to CPW, the boat—a 14-foot flat-bottom fishing craft with a 6-horsepower engine and trolling motor—was swamped by waves. While lifejackets were on board, they were reportedly not being worn at the time of the accident. Authorities also recovered the body of a dog from beneath the capsized vessel. A second boater had managed to self-rescue and was evaluated by Pueblo West firefighters before being transported to Parkview-Pueblo West Emergency Services.

CPW’s Maritime Emergency Response Team, assisted by a UCHealth Lifeline helicopter during the initial response, conducted a sonar-assisted search in 40-foot-deep, 44-degree water. Downie’s body was recovered approximately eight and a half hours after the initial 911 call. Interim Pueblo County Coroner Gregory Grahek confirmed that the cause and manner of death are pending further investigation.

If officially confirmed as a drowning, Downie’s death will mark the first at Lake Pueblo in 2026. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, underscoring the importance of safety precautions on the water. Community members are remembering Downie as a valued member of Howard, Colorado, while reflecting on the tragic nature of this boating incident.