At about 3:05 p.m. on September 20, the Idaho Springs Police Department, along with other local emergency services, responded to the report of a fallen climber at AVA Rafting and Zipline in Idaho Springs.

The climber, identified as 26-year-old Olivia Copeland of Fort Collins, sustained significant injuries as a result of the fall and did not survive.

Additional details have since been released about the incident, including that preliminary information indicates that Copeland was guiding a group of AVA customers on the Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata course when the fall occurred. This detail has since been confirmed by The Kansas City Star. Officials noted that the accident appears to have happened during a portion of the course that involves rappelling. The Kansas City Star report notes that her death appears to have been accidental in nature, per information from police.

Olivia Copeland was the daughter of late Michael Copeland, who served as the mayor of Olathe, Kansas from 2001 until his 2020 death – the longest-serving mayor in Olathe’s 162 years. A statement from the Copeland family that was released on social media remembers Olivia as “a vibrant, adventurous, and deeply loved young woman whose light and kindness touched all who knew her.”

The investigation into Olivia’s death is still underway.

Sincere condolences go out to Olivia Copeland’s loved ones during this time.

The Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata is a popular attraction in Idaho Springs, with participants utilizing iron rungs, bars, and cables to navigate the course while clipped in at all times. The course also features ziplines, a controlled free fall, and a rappel. Information related to exactly what led to the fatal accident has not been released at this time.