(PUEBLO, Colo.) — Davis Mortuary in Pueblo voluntarily surrendered its license to operate in Colorado on Oct. 17, 2025. The funeral home had been run by former Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter and his brother, Chris Cotter, since it was registered in 2010.

According to Documents from the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), by relinquishing the license, it becomes unnecessary to proceed to a disciplinary hearing by Colorado’s Office of Motuary and Funeral Science Services. The relinquishment has the same effect as a revocation, and Cotter, along with the business, agreed to never re-apply for a license or registration in Colorado.

Brian Cotter resigned as coroner, and the mortuary’s license was suspended in August, after investigators found 24 bodies inside the funeral home.

According to the documents, inspectors could smell decomposing remains and found a door hidden by a cardboard display. Cotter allegedly asked inspectors not to enter the room, but when they did and found the remains, he admitted that some had been waiting for cremation for up to 15 years, and that he may have issued incorrect remains to next-of-kin.

Among the alleged mortuary code violations that were listed in the documents were: failing to embalm, refrigerate, cremate, bury, or entomb human remains within 24 hours after taking custody of them, taking custody of more human remains than the funeral establishment had the capacity to refrigerate, and engaging in willfully dishonest conduct in the practice of cremation.

According to the documents, Cotter denies the allegations.