A rafter died after falling from his watercraft into the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon on Sunday.
Garfield County Coroner Robert Glassmire confirmed Tuesday morning that Nicholas Courtens, 34, of Vail, was pronounced dead at the scene between Shoshone and Grizzly Creek in Glenwood Canyon after he fell from a raft and drowned.
The White River National Forest and other river recreation officials are urging caution when recreating on the currently runoff-swollen area rivers.
Glassmire said the Glenwood Springs Fire Department and Garfield County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene at 12:29 p.m. Sunday.
"Investigators learned the rafter was part of a private group of five people using two rafts," Glassmire said in a news release. "The decedent went into the water while the group was navigating a rapid and eddy. Upon exiting the rapid and eddy, the decedent was unable to be initially rescued."
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