An investigation is underway in Pueblo after a body was discovered in the Arkansas River near the 1100 block of West 4th Street, just west of downtown. Police have not yet released the person’s identity and are keeping other details close while they sort out what happened.
The Pueblo Police Department announced the discovery, as first reported by the Denver Gazette. According to that account, officers were notified at about 1:47 p.m. on March 16, and the Pueblo County coroner is expected to identify the individual at a later time.
Where it happened
The stretch of river where the body was found runs past the 1100 block of West 4th Street, alongside the Pueblo River Trail and the levee murals just west of downtown. The large-scale mural project covers the concrete levee wall along this section of the Arkansas and serves as a familiar landmark for walkers, cyclists, and river users. Maps and photos of the artwork are available through the Pueblo Levee Mural Project.
Investigation and coroner
Police have not publicly shared further information about the circumstances of the discovery while detectives are working the scene, according to the Denver Gazette. The Pueblo County coroner’s office will determine the cause and manner of death and will release the person’s name once next of kin have been notified.
River context and safety
The Arkansas River through Pueblo has seen recent investment aimed at making the waterway more welcoming for recreation, including the new WaterWorks Park that opened in recent years. Coverage of that project and the river’s history notes that the old dam near downtown was once the site of several drownings, underscoring the risks that come with fast-moving water even as the river is promoted as a recreation asset. For more background, see reporting from Water Education Colorado. This story will be updated as officials release additional information.
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