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Coroner seeks more toxicology funding, overtime pay and an administrative position as caseloads rise
Summary
The Arapahoe County coroner's office told commissioners it needs more budget for toxicology testing, overtime policy changes for investigators, and one additional administrative FTE; staff also discussed possible family-assistance and forensic-epidemiologist roles and evaluated whether body transport should be performed in-house.
The Arapahoe County Coroner presented midyear budget priorities centered on rising toxicology costs and staffing needs tied to increasing death investigations.
Office leadership said toxicology testing costs have increased about $20,000 per year and the office relies on federal and state grants (Coverdell and CDPHE reimbursements) that will not fully cover demand going forward. Staff described basic toxicology panels (roughly $150'$250 per sample depending on the panel) and noted that complex poisonings or forensic toxicology work can cost thousands for a single case. The Coroner said the federal…
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