At least 13 people have died so far this year in Colorado waterways, something that has raised the alarm for state agencies, including Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Also concerning is that some weren’t wearing life jackets — a message that CPW has been trying to promote for many years. On Tuesday, CPW used a little humor to help educate people — but at the expense of Denver Nuggets star and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
Jokic, who hails from Serbia was on an annual rafting trip with friends on the Tara river, which flows through nearby Montenegro, when passersby took video and posted in on X (formerly Twitter). In the video, he’s not wearing a life jacket.
“Hey @nuggets, can we record an assist and send our three-time MVP Nikola Jokic a life jacket from our @COParksWildlife loaner program?” CPW’s Southwest Region X account posted alongside the video. “Happy to mail one out internationally, and we’ve got them for all sizes, including 6-11 basketball superstars! #boatingsafety #wearit.”
In 2023, 32 people died in water-related incidents in Colorado; a record-high 42 deaths took place he year before, according to CPW.
