C.R.S. Section 30-10-606
Coroner

  • inquiry
  • grounds
  • postmortem
  • jury
  • certificate of death

(1)

The responding law enforcement agency shall notify the coroner when a death is discovered or confirmed as soon as practicable after the scene is safe and secure. The coroner shall immediately notify the district attorney or his or her designee if by prior agreement, and then at his or her discretion proceed to the scene to view the body. Upon arrival of the coroner, law enforcement shall make all reasonable accommodations to allow the coroner to collect time-sensitive information such as body and scene temperature, lividity, and rigor. The coroner, in cooperation with law enforcement, shall make all proper inquiry in order to determine the cause and manner of death of any person in his or her jurisdiction who has died under any of the following circumstances:

(a)

If the death is or may be unnatural as a result of external influences, violence, or injury;

(a.3)

Due to the influence of or the result of intoxication by alcohol, drugs, or poison;

(a.5)

As a result of an accident, including at the workplace;

(a.7)

When the death of an infant or child is unexpected or unexplained;

(b)

When no physician is in attendance or when, though in attendance, the physician is unable to certify the cause of death;

(c)

From a death that occurs within twenty-four hours of admission to a hospital;

(d)

Repealed.

(e)

From a disease which may be hazardous or contagious or which may constitute a threat to the health of the general public;

(f)

If the death occurs from the action of a peace officer or while in the custody of law enforcement officials or while incarcerated in a public institution;

(g)

When the death was sudden and happened to a person who was in apparent good health;

(h)

When a body is unidentifiable, decomposed, charred, or skeletonized; or

(i)

Circumstances that the coroner otherwise determines may warrant further inquiry to determine cause and manner of death or further law enforcement investigation.

(1.1)

The coroner shall request that jurisdiction of a death be transferred to the coroner of the county in which the event which resulted in the death of the person occurred, with the jurisdiction effective upon the acceptance by the receiving coroner. The transfer shall be in writing, and a copy thereof shall be maintained in the offices of the transferring and receiving coroners. The district attorney from each county involved in the transfer shall be contacted prior to the transfer unless prior agreements have been established.

(1.2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

When a person dies as a result of circumstances specified in subsection (1) of this section or is found dead and the cause of death is unknown, the person who discovers the death shall report it immediately to law enforcement officials or the coroner, and the coroner shall take legal custody of the body.

(b)

The body of any person who dies as a result of circumstances specified in subsection (1) of this section shall not be removed from the place of death prior to the arrival of the coroner or his or her designee or without the authority of the coroner or his or her designee unless it is necessary to identify the victim, to protect the property from damage or destruction, or to preserve and protect evidence, or protect life, health, or safety. The coroner, in consultation with the district attorney or local law enforcement agency, shall facilitate the timely removal of the body to preserve and protect evidence. The coroner may order the removal of the body for further investigation or release the body to the next of kin if no further investigation is required by law enforcement.

(c)

If a suicide note related to the death is found at the place of death, the coroner or law enforcement agency according to a prior agreement shall take custody of the note as well as any other documentation related to the cause or manner of death as is appropriate. If there is no prior agreement, law enforcement shall have the authority to take custody of the suicide note and shall provide a copy of the suicide note to the coroner. The coroner shall have the authority to view the suicide note prior to receiving a copy.

(d)

In the case of a noncriminal investigation, the coroner in collaboration with local law enforcement shall identify the deceased, determine the deceased’s next of kin, and notify the appropriate next of kin or other persons of the death.

(e)

In the case of a noncriminal investigation, in order to assist with the identification of the deceased, location and identity of next of kin, and determination of the cause and manner of death, the coroner, in cooperation with law enforcement, has the authority to collect, examine, and store, or request law enforcement to collect, examine, and store, any documents, evidence, or information, including information available in electronic devices such as phones or computers subject to the limitations in the fourth amendment to the United States constitution and section 7 of article II of the Colorado constitution.

(f)

When in the course of a coroner investigation, a death becomes suspicious or the possibility of criminal activity arises, the coroner shall immediately consult with the district attorney and law enforcement in the jurisdiction where the events that caused the death occurred.

(g)

In the case of a noncriminal investigation, the coroner may take custody of prescription medications dispensed to the deceased to assist in determining the cause and manner of death subject to the limitations in the fourth amendment to the United States constitution and section 7 of article II of the Colorado constitution. The coroner shall properly document, store, and dispose of the medications or request law enforcement to document, store, and dispose of the medications.

(2)

The coroner or his or her designee shall perform a forensic autopsy or have a forensic autopsy performed as required by section 30-10-606.5 or upon the request of the district attorney. Failure to comply with this section may be prosecuted as a violation of section 18-8-405, C.R.S.

(2.5)

In the case of a noncriminal investigation, the coroner, in cooperation with the public administrator if applicable, may take appropriate measures to safeguard the property and its contents. The coroner may charge the costs of securing the premises against the estate of the deceased. A coroner who secures or safeguards the property and its contents is immune from civil liability for damage to or loss of the property or its contents.

(2.7)

A coroner shall comply with information requests for statistical or research purposes from the department of public health and environment and the department of transportation.

(3)

When the coroner has knowledge that any person has died under any of the circumstances specified in subsection (1) of this section, he may summon forthwith six citizens of the county to appear at a place named to hold an inquest to hear testimony and to make such inquiries as he deems appropriate.

(4)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

In all cases where the coroner has held an investigation or inquest, the certificate of death shall be issued by the coroner.

(b)

Any certificate of death issued by a coroner shall be filed with the registrar and shall state the findings concerning the nature of the disease or the manner of death, and, if from external causes, the certificate shall state the manner of death. In addition, the certificate shall include the information described in section 25-2-103 (3)(b), C.R.S., whenever the subject of the investigation or inquest is under one year of age.

(c)

A copy of the certificate of death or affidavit of presumed death, including any related documents and statements of fact, shall be retained indefinitely in the applicable county in a secure location in an appropriate county facility accessible only to the county coroner or the coroner’s designee and in a manner that is consistent with the county’s record retention policy and federal law.

(5)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to require an investigation, autopsy, or inquest in any case where death occurred without medical attendance solely because the deceased was under treatment by prayer or spiritual means alone in accordance with the tenets and practices of a well-recognized church or religious denomination.

(6)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

Notwithstanding sections 12-245-220 and 13-90-107 (1)(d) or (1)(g), the coroner holding an inquest or investigation pursuant to this section has the authority to request and receive a copy of:

(I)

Any autopsy report or medical information from any pathologist, physician, dentist, hospital, or health-care provider or institution if such report or information is relevant to the inquest or investigation; and

(II)

Any information, record, or report related to treatment, consultation, counseling, or therapy services from any licensed psychologist, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, social worker, or addiction counselor, certified addiction counselor, unlicensed psychotherapist, psychologist candidate registered pursuant to section 12-245-304 (3), marriage and family therapist candidate registered pursuant to section 12-245-504 (4), licensed professional counselor candidate registered pursuant to section 12-245-604 (4), or person described in section 12-245-217, if the report, record, or information is relevant to the inquest or investigation.

(b)

The coroner or his or her designee shall, at the request of the district attorney or attorney general, release to the district attorney or attorney general any autopsy report or medical information described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (6) that the coroner obtains pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (6).

(c)

The coroner or his or her designee shall not release to any party any information, record, or report described in subparagraph (II) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (6) that the coroner obtains pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (6).

(d)

Any person who complies with a request from a coroner or his or her designee pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (6) shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed with respect to the disclosure of confidential patient or client information.

Source: Section 30-10-606 — Coroner - inquiry - grounds - postmortem - jury - certificate of death, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-30.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

30‑10‑101
Offices - inspection of records - failure to comply - penalty
30‑10‑102
All money delivered to treasurer - penalty for failure
30‑10‑103
Copies prima facie evidence
30‑10‑104
Resignations of officers, to whom made
30‑10‑105
When office becomes vacant
30‑10‑106
Substitute officers have same powers and compensation
30‑10‑107
Penalty for refusing to qualify
30‑10‑108
Fines appropriated to school fund of county
30‑10‑109
Office hours
30‑10‑110
Bonds or insurance of officers - oath or affirmation
30‑10‑111
Oath of deputy
30‑10‑112
Officer to act until successor qualifies
30‑10‑113
Contribution limits for county offices - definitions
30‑10‑301
Oath or affirmation of commissioners
30‑10‑302
County seal - open meetings - rules
30‑10‑303
Meetings of board
30‑10‑304
Meetings of board in counties over one hundred thousand
30‑10‑305
Penalty for absence from meetings in counties over one hundred thousand
30‑10‑306
Commissioners’ districts - vacancies - definitions
30‑10‑306.1
Commission created - commission composition and appointment
30‑10‑306.2
Commission organization - procedures - transparency - voting requirements
30‑10‑306.3
Criteria for determination of county commissioner districts - definition
30‑10‑306.4
Deadlines for preparation, amendment, and approval of plans
30‑10‑306.5
Procedure to increase number of county commissioners
30‑10‑306.7
Procedure for electing county commissioners
30‑10‑307
Chairman - temporary chairman
30‑10‑308
Oaths administered and orders signed by chairman
30‑10‑310
Committee of commissioners - report
30‑10‑311
Bonds or insurance of county commissioners
30‑10‑312
Amount of bond or insurance - county commissioners
30‑10‑313
Bond executed or insurance purchased before duties assumed
30‑10‑314
Where bond filed
30‑10‑315
Penalty for acting without bond or insurance
30‑10‑316
Suits on bond or insurance
30‑10‑317
County to recover all damages - execution against body
30‑10‑318
Recovery for all damage - liability
30‑10‑319
Clerk of board - duties
30‑10‑320
Clerk to designate amount - copies of records
30‑10‑321
Orders - dated and numbered - records of issuance
30‑10‑322
Penalty for failure to perform duty
30‑10‑401
County clerk - term - bond - insurance
30‑10‑402
Clerk for board of commissioners
30‑10‑403
Deputy clerk - duties
30‑10‑404
Vacancy in office - how filled
30‑10‑405
Office at county seat - seal - records
30‑10‑405.5
Electronic filings
30‑10‑406
County clerk and recorder - duties - filing requirements
30‑10‑406.5
Redaction of first five digits of social security numbers on public documents
30‑10‑407
Microfilm and optical imaging records - when - standards for optical imaging systems
30‑10‑408
Grantor and grantee indices to be kept by county clerk and recorder
30‑10‑409
Reception book - form - contents - acceptance for recording
30‑10‑410
File of plats or maps - index - names
30‑10‑413
Certified copies prima facie evidence
30‑10‑415
Tax sales excepted
30‑10‑416
Clerk to administer oaths or affirmations - take affidavit or deposition
30‑10‑417
False oaths, perjury
30‑10‑418
Fees of county clerk and recorder for administering oaths
30‑10‑420
Maintenance of trade name registration
30‑10‑421
Filing surcharge - definitions
30‑10‑501
Sheriff - election - bond - insurance
30‑10‑501.5
Qualifications
30‑10‑501.6
Training
30‑10‑501.7
Enforcement
30‑10‑502
Form of bond
30‑10‑503
Sheriff assumes duties - when
30‑10‑504
Undersheriff - duties - vacancy
30‑10‑505
Vacancy in office - powers of undersheriff
30‑10‑506
Deputies
30‑10‑509
Liability of sheriff for neglect
30‑10‑511
Sheriff custodian of jail
30‑10‑512
Sheriff to act as fire warden
30‑10‑513
Duties of sheriff - coordination of fire suppression efforts for forest, prairie, or wildland fire - expenses
30‑10‑513.5
Authority of sheriff relating to fires within unincorporated areas of county - liability for expenses
30‑10‑514
Sheriff to transport prisoners
30‑10‑515
Sheriff to execute writs - attend court
30‑10‑516
Sheriffs to preserve peace - command aid
30‑10‑517
Outgoing sheriff may proceed with writs
30‑10‑518
Coroner when acting as sheriff
30‑10‑519
Service on sheriff, made how
30‑10‑520
Sheriff not to act as attorney
30‑10‑521
Illegal fees - penalty
30‑10‑522
Actions against sheriff - sureties liable - when
30‑10‑523
Sheriff - permits for concealed handguns
30‑10‑524
Sheriff to provide identification cards to retired peace officers upon request - definitions
30‑10‑525
Disclosure of knowing misrepresentation by a peace officer required - disclosure waivers - reports - definitions
30‑10‑526
Sheriff office hiring - required use of waiver - definitions
30‑10‑527
Behavioral health professionals - grant applications encouraged - definition - repeal
30‑10‑528
Incarcerated parents - family services coordinator
30‑10‑601
Coroner - election - bond - insurance - authority
30‑10‑601.5
Qualifications - fingerprints
30‑10‑601.6
Coroners standards and training board
30‑10‑601.7
Duties of the Colorado coroners standards and training board
30‑10‑601.8
Training - fees - coroner training fund
30‑10‑601.9
Enforcement
30‑10‑602
Coroner and deputy coroner - duties - oath or affirmation - bond - insurance
30‑10‑603
Deputy coroner - appointment
30‑10‑604
Coroner shall act as sheriff, when
30‑10‑605
When sheriff a party or disqualified
30‑10‑606
Coroner - inquiry - grounds - postmortem - jury - certificate of death
30‑10‑606.5
When autopsy performed - jurisdiction - qualifications to perform - definition
30‑10‑608
Coroner may issue subpoenas
30‑10‑610
Oath of witnesses
30‑10‑611
Testimony written and subscribed - fees
30‑10‑612
Verdict of jury - form
30‑10‑613
When verdict kept secret
30‑10‑614
Coroner may order arrest - warrant
30‑10‑615
Warrant - effect
30‑10‑616
Contents of warrant
30‑10‑617
Coroner to make return to district court
30‑10‑618
Burial expenses - when paid by county
30‑10‑619
Conflicts of interest of county coroners
30‑10‑622
Unidentified human remains - DNA samples
30‑10‑623
Department of corrections - reimbursement for expenses of coroner
30‑10‑624
Required toxicology screening for a suicide, overdose death, or accidental death - annual report - working group
30‑10‑701
Election - term - bond - insurance
30‑10‑702
Term of office
30‑10‑703
Form of bond
30‑10‑704
Chief deputy treasurer - duties
30‑10‑705
Vacancy in office - how filled
30‑10‑706
Officers who cannot be treasurer
30‑10‑707
Treasurer to receive and pay moneys
30‑10‑708
Deposit of funds in banks and savings and loan associations
30‑10‑709
Treasurer to keep accounts - settlement of accounts - resolution of findings - report to board of county commissioners - contempt
30‑10‑710
Apportionment and separation of funds
30‑10‑711
Payment of warrants - call published
30‑10‑712
Funds payable in order of presentment
30‑10‑713
Delivery of books to successor - penalty
30‑10‑714
Treasurer collector of taxes
30‑10‑715
Treasurer to issue receipt for money collected
30‑10‑716
Treasurer to assess property, when
30‑10‑718
Registry of orders - open to inspection
30‑10‑726
Failure of treasurer to perform duties - penalty
30‑10‑801
Assessor - election - bond - insurance - term - oath or affirmation
30‑10‑802
Assessment district - deputy in each - oath or affirmation - bond
30‑10‑803
Office and supplies - expenses
30‑10‑901
Surveyor - election - bond - insurance
30‑10‑902
Deputies - certificates admitted as evidence
30‑10‑903
Duties and powers of the county surveyor
30‑10‑904
Vacancy - how filled
30‑10‑905
Remuneration - expenses
30‑10‑906
Disputed boundaries - notice - establishment of legal corner monument
30‑10‑907
County surveyor to administer oaths
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 30-10-606’s source at colorado​.gov