Touring coroner’s office: Boulder County Coroner Jeff Martin welcomed a tour group. The tour presented facts and the purpose of a county coroner’s office.[/caption]

The Boulder County Coroner hosted tours and presented information about the office on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at the office at 5610 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, from 5:30 and 7 p.m.

Coroner Jeff Martin welcomed the tour group and staff presented facts about the office. Martin has been Coroner since February, following the resignation of the previous incumbent. He served as deputy coroner before that.

Martin’s website notes that he has had “... a distinguished 32-year investigative career… initially as a peace officer…. I am enthusiastic to share with you the unique education, training, and experience I possess to serve in this crucial role.

“In January of 2024, I assumed the role of the coroner and have continued to create practices that reflect medical examiner methods within our coroner system….

“One of my priorities is to strengthen collaborations with local medical and legal partners, as well as fostering stronger connections with the people we serve through outreach and education….”

Martin introduced the staff, who explained the functions and procedures provided by the office. There are six full-time investigators and two external pathologists who work on contract.

The Coroner’s Office investigates all sudden or unattended deaths throughout the county.

Following the presentation, the group toured the facility, which featured a quiet room and a room from which law enforcement could view the proceedings. The autopsy room has two tables and an evidence room.

The coroner can be contacted at 303-441-3535 or faxed at 303-441-4535; email is coroner@ bouldercounty.gov. An on-call investigator may be contacted 24/7 through the Sheriff's dispatch at 303-441-4444.

Deaths reportable to the Coroner’s Office include:

• Deaths within 24 hours of admission to a hospital

• Deaths in which a physician is not in attendance or has not been in actual attendance of the decedent within thirty days prior to death

• Deaths that occur in a hospital emergency department

• Traumatic, chemical or violent deaths (homicidal, suicidal, or accidental)

• Deaths occurring in a hospital operating room

• Deaths associated with diagnostic or therapeutic procedures

• Deaths in which the attending physician is unable to certify the cause of death

• Deaths due to unexplained cause or under suspicious circumstances

• Deaths suspected to be due to infectious or contagious disease wherein the diagnosis and extent of disease are undetermined at the time of death

• Any sudden death of a person in apparent good health

• Deaths of individuals who were in the custody of law enforcement officials or who were incarcerated in a public institution

• All newborn infants who die within 24 hours of birth regardless of the duration of life

• Any fetal death due to or as a consequence of criminal abortion

• Every death that occurs outside of a hospital or nursing home