Overview

• State inspectors reported a strong odor and found a concealed room behind a cardboard display at Davis Mortuary, where about 20 bodies were visible in various stages of decomposition.
• Owner and Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter told inspectors some remains had been stored for roughly 15 years and acknowledged he may have provided families with fake cremains.
• Colorado regulators summarily suspended the mortuary’s registration, alleging willfully dishonest conduct, negligence, and taking custody of more remains than the facility could properly refrigerate.
• The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is leading a multi‑agency criminal probe; a search warrant was executed, hazardous‑materials teams are processing the scene, and no charges have been filed.
• Gov. Jared Polis called for Cotter’s immediate resignation and declared a disaster emergency to mobilize resources as investigators work to determine the exact number of decedents, identify them, and notify next‑of‑kin.