Letter from the coroner
On behalf of the team at the Garfield County Coroner’s Office, I offer my sincerest condolences to you for the loss of your loved one. The Garfield County Coroner’s Office is here to help you through this difficult process as you navigate the days ahead.
We have designed this handbook as a guide and resource for you to refer to as you ask yourself: What do I do now? Often, the days following a loved one’s death are uncharted for many people. The Coroner’s office works every day with families in similar situations and investigators can provide insight on questions you will likely encounter.
The Coroner’s office staff’s role is to perform an inquiry into the cause and manner of your loved one’s death. This inquiry is extremely important. The inquiry and subsequent determination for cause and manner of death are independent of any other agency. We work on behalf of the deceased to determine the truth about their death.
The Cause of Death is the injury, disease, or combination of the two that was responsible for initiating the train of physiological disturbances (brief or prolonged), which produced the fatal outcome.
The Manner of Death refers to the circumstances in which the cause of death arose (suicide, natural causes, accident, and homicide). It is often a misconception that the responsibility for determining these vital questions lies with the law enforcement agency; however, this is the responsibility of the Coroner.
When the Coroner’s office is performing an inquiry into a death, our goal is to be available, professional, compassionate, and timely during the entire process of the inquiry. Investigators are assigned on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We are always available to take your call, answer your question, or hear your concern. You can reach an investigator by calling the office at 970-665-6335 or by the information contained in this guide.
You may also call me at any time with compliments, questions, or feedback.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Robert Glassmire, Coroner
Cell: 970-309-1042