A Lafayette man drowned today when his rowboat capsized on Boulder Reservoir. His son pulled him to shore, but not in time, Boulder police said.
Jose Lucero, 69, died at Boulder Community Hospital. His adult son, Randy Lucero, is recovering at the hospital.
“He was pretty chilled and exhibiting signs of hypothermia when crews arrived,” police spokeswoman Sarah Huntley said.
The water temperature was about 54 degrees when the boat rolled, presumably because of high wind gusts, Huntley said.
The rowboat had life jackets aboard, but neither man was wearing one.
The men had been on the water only a few minutes, after launching just before 11 a.m., when a bicyclist near the shore called for help at 11:17 a.m.
While boats without motors and other limited recreation are allowed, the reservoir does not officially open until May 3.
The last fatality at the reservoir occurred in August 2005 during a triathalon, when a swimmer had a heart attack, according to police.
