CBI Declines Charges, Coroner Faces Continued Community Scrutiny
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation declined to file criminal charges against Las Animas County Coroner Dominic Verquer after reviewing allegations of unmarked burials and misuse of public funds. The decision matters to local residents because family members still seek identification of remains, the cemetery owner and some locals dispute notification and permission, and organizers are pushing a recall of the coroner.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation concluded on December 4, 2025, that it will not pursue criminal charges against Las Animas County Coroner Dominic Verquer following an inquiry into burials of indigent individuals and alleged misuse of public funds. Investigators examined interviews and documentation, and the material was reviewed by the Third Judicial District Attorney, who found no probable cause to file charges.
CBI investigators reported that five indigent individuals were buried at Starkville Cemetery in a context where there was no known next of kin and the county had responsibility for disposal during the COVID period. The review found no evidence of misappropriation of public funds or criminal misuse in the handling of those burials. The findings close the possibility of criminal prosecution stemming from the agency review.
Despite the legal conclusion, the decision did not resolve deep community tensions. Some local residents and the owner of Starkville Cemetery dispute whether they were informed or gave permission for the interments. Family members of the deceased remain unsatisfied, seeking identification of remains and clearer explanations about how decisions were made. Organizers are continuing efforts to recall the coroner, signaling that political and civic pressure will persist.
For Las Animas County residents the case underscores broader concerns about transparency in public offices and the handling of vulnerable people during a period of crisis. Questions over record keeping, notification practices, and the ability of next of kin to obtain information about loved ones have become focal points for families and community advocates.
The CBI determination removes the prospect of criminal charges, but it leaves administrative and civic issues unresolved. Local officials face continuing demands for answers, and the coroner's office will contend with public scrutiny as recall efforts and calls for additional clarity continue. How county leaders respond will shape public trust and the community's ability to reconcile with events that occurred during a difficult public health era.
