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Montezuma County coroner reports steady overall deaths; suicide counts vary year to year
Summary
Coroner George told commissioners that overall death counts remain near historical averages though certain years spiked; he said suicides typically occur at roughly monthly intervals and that recent months include a busy weekend with five deaths.
Coroner George presented several years of death statistics to the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners, saying the overall pattern was “pretty consistent” with historical averages but with notable year-to-year variation.
George said some months can change totals dramatically — “I've had as many as 28 deaths in one month” — and he highlighted suicide counts as an example of variability. He said, “suicides, it always seems like it averages 12 a year,” then reviewed year-by-year small fluctuations (in his words: “8, 8, and then 6… then the next year, you have 10”). He added that the years 2021–2023 looked different and that COVID-related effects are likely part of that variance.
George also reported a recent busy weekend with five deaths, which brought totals close to last year’s figures for the same date. He cautioned the board that final year totals are not fixed until year-end and can change.
Commissioners thanked George and had no further questions during the workshop.
