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Public urges quick, transparent interim coroner appointment after Pueblo coroner resignation
Summary
Speakers at the BLCC meeting urged commissioners to move quickly and transparently to appoint an interim Pueblo County coroner after a resignation and alleged misconduct; the board said it will solicit applications and publish an email for recommendations this week.
Presiding official opened public comment at the BLCC meeting on Sept. 2, and several residents urged the Pueblo County commissioners to act swiftly and transparently in naming an interim coroner following the county coroner's resignation, effective that day.
Roxy Pianinelli, a private citizen, said the community's trust in the coroner's office has been undermined by "shocking revelations of misconduct, neglect, and abuse of family's trust" and recommended a candidate she named in testimony (transcript spellings vary), describing the person as a registered nurse with funeral-industry experience who could "restore the public confidence." Jay Zarr of Pueblo West said statewide observers are asking "what is going on in Pueblo because of the coroner's office situation" and urged an appointee who can unite the community. Shay Donahue, a resident of Beulah, also endorsed the candidate cited in testimony, saying the person "brings medical expertise, years of experience in the funeral industry, and a proven record of working successfully with the El Paso County coroner's office." Elvis Martinez urged caution, saying anyone currently in the coroner's office is "tainted" until investigations by the CBI and local law enforcement are complete.
Cynthia Mitchell, county attorney, explained the office's interpretation of state law: to be appointed as an interim coroner a person must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Colorado and the county, and have a high school diploma or equivalent; fingerprinting by a law enforcement agency is required. Mitchell said the American Board of Medical Legal Death Investigators (ABMDI) or American Board of Pathology certification requirement applies to coroners elected on or after Nov. 5, 2024, in counties above a population threshold, and "our interpretation of this subsection is that it does not require an appointed coroner to have those qualifications;" she added that appointed coroners must attend required trainings after assuming office.
Board members said they want to move quickly but without rushing. The board said it will publish an email address for coroner applications and letters of recommendation, solicit applications "within the next couple of days," and undertake vetting and interviews. A commissioner said the appointment should provide stability and confidence "for the 24, 25 families that need answers" and serve as a bridge to the next scheduled election.
The board did not vote on an appointment during the meeting. According to statements on the record, next steps are an open application window to be announced this week, publicized on the county web page and social media; the board said it will share details of the timeline once finalized.
