Tuesday morning, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) received a report of an abandoned truck and trailer near the west boat ramp at John Martin Reservoir State Park. What looked like a body was observed floating face down in the water nearby.

CPW staff responded and recovered the body of a man before conducting sonar scans of the area to ensure there were no additional victims. The man was not wearing a life jacket.

John Martin State Park Manager Dan Kirmer offered sympathies to the victim’s family and friends.

“They have our deepest condolences,” Kirmer said. “It is awful to see a life lost so tragically.”

The body of the victim was turned over to the Bent County Coroner for identification and an official determination of the cause of death.

According to CPW’s unofficial tally of water-related fatalities, the state is on track to surpass the 2022 record of 42 deaths.