Kristen Marie Kovatch, 46, of Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away on January 1, 2026, while doing what she loved most—hiking in the beauty of Colorado’s public lands. She tragically lost her life following a mountain lion attack on the Crosier Mountain Trail near Glen Haven, CO.
Born on December 4, 1979, in Dallas, Texas, Kristen brought light and hope to everyone she met. She graduated from DeSoto High School, where she proudly played in the band, and later earned her associate degree as a medical assistant. In 2011, she moved to Fort Collins to be closer to her aging parents. She worked at Banner Health, where her compassion and kindness touched countless lives.
Kristen’s greatest passion was the outdoors. A former ultra marathoner, she completed the Quad Rock races three times and earned the Gnar Slam Award in 2017. Her love for the trail extended far beyond her own accomplishments—she volunteered at ultra marathon events, cheering on and pacing fellow athletes with unwavering enthusiasm and persistence.
Her heart was as expansive as the mountains she adored. Kristen rescued and raised two orphaned kittens, Wylder and Mocha, who became her beloved companions. Her adventurous spirit, generosity, and warmth will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Kristen is survived by her loving parents, Dennis and Beverly Kovatch; her brother, Jeffrey Kovatch, and his wife, Ann; and the nieces and nephew she adored—Aubrey, Angie, and Jake. She leaves behind a legacy of resilience, kindness, and joy.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 17th at 1:00 PM at Resthaven Funeral Home in Fort Collins, CO. Friends and family are invited to gather and honor Kristen’s life. For those that may not be able to attend the service in person, you may join virtually via livestream here: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c26017393653140
Kristen loved animals and she loved the outdoors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Animal Friends Alliance Adoption Center, NoCo Humane Society, or the Colorado Trail Foundation.
Treasured memories of Kristen and words of condolence for her family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.
