Prowers County Tells Coroner Not to Store Bodies in Annex Building

Description: On February 28, 2025, the Prowers County Attorney Contacted Prowers Coroner Tommy Dunagan in Regards to the Storage of Bodies of the Deceased at the Prowers County Annex Building...

Prowers County Tells Coroner Not to Store Bodies in County Annex Building

February 28, 2025

Via Email:

Coroner Thomas Dunagan

1001 S. Main Street

Lamar, Colorado 81052

Re: Body storage in Annex building

Dear Coroner:

It has been brought to my attention that you are storing bodies of the deceased in the Prowers County Annex building. As you are aware, the Commissioners have directly informed you on many occasions that bodies cannot be stored at the Annex, for liability reasons.

In consultation with CTSI, there is a great deal of risk associated with the storage of bodies of the deceased. Prowers County does not have cameras or back up coolers in case of a power outage. The Annex is not set up to store the bodies of the deceased.

To the Commissioners knowledge, the funeral homes have not denied storage of deceased people, which has been the common practice in Prowers County.

This letter is to advise you that the Commissioners cannot authorize the storage of the bodies of the deceased in the Annex, which is a county building over which they have full authority and control.

Please be advised that any bodies of the deceased stored at the Annex must be removed today and notify me when it is completed.

Any further attempts to house the bodies of the deceased at the Annex will result in personal liability to you.

Very truly yours,

Rose F. Pugliese, Esq. Prowers County Attorney

cc: Prowers County Commissioners oc: Prowers County Administrator

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