Colorado authorities are asking for help in identifying a lightning strike victim who is currently in critical condition in hospital.

A woman on a suburban Colorado walking path was struck by lightning on Thursday evening. Bystanders who found her unresponsive carried out CPR until emergency workers arrived.

The woman, who is believed to be between 20 and 30 years old, was not carrying identification, and her phone was severely damaged in the strike in Superior, about 20 miles (32km) northwest of Denver.

Her fingerprints are not in the system, the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post, describing her as 5'5, white and 120lbs (54kg), with "red or auburn-coloured hair".

She was wearing a green running shirt, black running shorts with white stripes and white or pink running shoes, but authorities were unable to determine the brand.