# @denverwestword on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DNq32h5p4uT
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/33608715-denverwestword-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/d34a4695fc.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-08-22T19:58:58.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Denver Westword (@denverwestword) — https://gondola.cc/denverwestword

## Caption

Governor Jared Polis demanded Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter’s immediate resignation today, August 22, after state inspectors discovered about twenty decomposing bodies behind a hidden door on Thursday at Cotter’s Davis Mortuary in Pueblo.

Investigators say that families and other next-of-kin may have received fake cremains, and that the corpses behind the door could have been there up to fifteen years.

Davis Mortuary has had its funeral home license suspended, but no charges have yet been filed against Cotter.

Along with calling for Cotter’s immediate resignation, Polis declared a disaster emergency to use state resources to respond to the incident to protect public health and safety.

“I’m sickened for the families of the loved ones who are impacted by this unacceptable misconduct,” Polis says in a statement. “It is clear public trust has been lost and Mr. Cotter must resign as the Pueblo County Coroner immediately. He should be investigated and if warranted, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No one should ever have to wonder if their loved one is being taken care of with dignity and respect after they’ve passed, and Mr. Cotter must be held to account for his actions.”

✍️ Read the full story by Brendan Joel Kelley at westword.com or at the link in our bio.

#denver #denvercolorado #denvernews #colorado #jaredpolis

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jaredpolis, denver, colorado, denvernews, denvercolorado

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