ALAMOSA — Counties in the San Luis Valley and across the state could soon have an easier way of dealing with unclaimed bodies. Alamosa County Commissioner Darius Allen recently updated his colleagues at the San Luis Valley County Commissioners Association on a bill that is currently being considered in the Colorado State Legislature that would allow for simplification of the final disposition process.

Under the current law, Colorado counties are required to bury an unclaimed body following the required legal procedures. The new bill, SB19-027: County Authority Unclaimed Body Final Disposition seeks to change this mandate. Under the new legislation, counties would have the authority to utilize cremation or any other lawful method for final disposition.

The bill would also “harmonize,” conflicts that exist with current law and adjust them to the standards that the final disposition statute requires. In addition, current law gives coroners just 24-48 hours to find friends or relatives of the deceased. The bill would extend the timeframe to five days.

The prime sponsors of the bill are Senator Larry Crowder, Senator Faith Winter, and Representative Donald Valdez. Many of the Valley’s county commissioners are set to travel to Denver to support this legislation because there is consensus that it would simplify the final disposition process while still maintaining a degree of dignity. The bill has bi-partisan support and is expected to have a good possibility of passing.