Fort Collins father and fisherman dies while kayaking during unexpected storm

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Family members have identified a kayaker who went missing days ago as Uriel Rodriguez-Lopez. After an extensive search, the 24-year-old’s body was found in a reservoir in Larimer County, near Loveland.

Uriel had a passion for fishing and loved being on the water, but the dangers of the water combined with dicey weather conditions are what suddenly ended his life.

Deyanira Rodriguez-Lopez, Uriel’s sister, shared with FOX31 that her brother was kind, generous and had a big heart with an even bigger sense of humor. She said he valued and enjoyed the simple things in life.

“When he wasn’t with family, he was on the water. His dreams were to fish,” Rodriguez-Lopez said. “He was an amazing father. He was the best provider for his girls and wife. He was the best little brother I could’ve ever asked for.”

On Tuesday, Uriel had the day off work and decided to go fishing and kayaking alone on Lon Hagler Reservoir. But as it got dark outside and a storm rushed through, his wife, Isabella Lopez, began to worry.

“A few more hours went by and he still didn’t text me, and I seen his location and he just looked like he was at the same place for hours and hours,” Lopez said.

Lopez said she called authorities for help as her worst fears started to settle in.

The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said they got the call for a kayaker who was overdue around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday and their search, involving multiple agencies, began that day.

“I felt like time was going by so fast, but so slow,” Lopez said.

‘The storm just came on him too fast’

The sheriff’s office said Uriel’s kayak was found by a recreator the night before, on Tuesday. His body was discovered by authorities on Wednesday evening.

“That day there was very very strong winds. It was very crazy,” Rodriguez-Lopez said. “The storm just came on him too fast and he really didn’t know what to do.”

The Fort Collins man leaves behind a wife and two baby girls: a 2-year-old and a 9-month-old.

In the blink of an eye, Lopez has become a single mother and is left to take care of an infant and toddler alone. If you’d like to help make sure they have everything they need and help with expenses to lay Uriel to rest, click here .

Rodriguez-Lopez is crushed that her baby brother is gone.

“My whole life flashed in my eyes. My whole life with him, every memory, every time I’ve ever seen him,” Rodriguez-Lopez said. “The first thing that ran through my head was I didn’t say I love you.”

Authorities confirm that Uriel was recovered without a life vest on.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is stressing the importance of wearing a life jacket and provided FOX31 with alarming statistics when it comes to water-related deaths.

A state record of 42 deaths was set in 2022, 32 deaths occurred in 2023, and so far this year, 22 water-related deaths have already happened — and summer is not in full swing yet.

CPW and this grieving family are pleading that a life jacket can mean the difference between life and death.

“Have your life jacket on,” Rodriguez-Lopez said. “Please do not go on the water without it. Please, it would’ve saved my brother’s life.”

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