Demand the resignation of Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter.

Pueblo County residents unite to call on Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter to end the compounding pain and suffering inflicted on local families by resigning immediately. He has betrayed the public trust and must be held accountable—or face removal through a costly and time-consuming recall process.

This is an unthinkable betrayal: grieving families now fear their loved ones were mishandled—or worse—while Brian Cotter, the County Coroner, may have even provided fake cremains. Public trust is shattered. If he refuses to resign, he will force taxpayers and those already suffering to endure the burden of a drawn-out recall.

We, the residents of Pueblo County, sign this petition as a vote of no confidence in County Coroner Brian Cotter.
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Whereas, Brian Cotter, in his capacity as Pueblo County Coroner, has demonstrated gross negligence and a failure to uphold the public trust by allowing decomposing bodies to accumulate over many years at a funeral home he operates;

Whereas, credible reports indicate that some of these bodies had been stored for over 15 years, and that families may have been misled into receiving fake cremains in place of their loved ones;

Whereas, this conduct represents a grave breach of professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities, causing significant emotional harm to the families of the deceased and irreparable damage to the integrity of the Coroner’s Office;

Whereas, Brian Cotter has served simultaneously as the Pueblo County Coroner and the co-owner/operator of a private funeral home, creating an inherent conflict of interest that undermines the impartiality required of a public official responsible for death investigations and the handling of human remains;

Whereas, this dual role raises serious ethical concerns, including the potential for self-dealing, preferential referrals, and financial gain derived from public office, in direct violation of the ethical standards expected of elected officials and medical death investigators;

Be it resolved, that this conflict of interest constitutes a fundamental breach of public trust, undermines the credibility of the Coroner’s Office, and further justifies the demand for Brian Cotter’s immediate resignation or removal from office;

Be it further resolved, that we, the undersigned, express our vote of no confidence in Brian Cotter and demand his immediate resignation from the office of Pueblo County Coroner. Should he fail to resign, we will support and pursue all legal and democratic means necessary to initiate a formal recall.