(1) It is the duty of the county commissioners in each county of this state to designate some proper person in each county whose duty it is to cause the decent interment of the bodies of honorably discharged military personnel:
(a) (I) Who died without leaving sufficient means to defray funeral expenses; or
(II) Who died leaving a family in indigent circumstances; and
(b) (I) Who served in any branch of the armed forces of the United States during any period of any declared or any undeclared war or other armed hostilities against an armed foreign enemy; or
(II) Who served on active duty in any branch of the armed services in any campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge is authorized.
(2) Burial must not be made in that portion of a cemetery or burial ground used exclusively for the burial of deceased indigent persons. Each county, by resolution of its board of county commissioners, shall establish the maximum expense to the county for each burial, exclusive of any federal funds provided for such purposes. In case the deceased veteran has relatives or friends who desire to conduct the funeral services, they shall be permitted to do so, and the expenses shall be paid as provided in this section.
Source: L. 2002: Entire part R&RE, p. 240, § 1, effective April 12. L. 2018: (2) amended, (HB 18-1142), ch. 65, p. 618, § 4, effective August 8.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 28-5-501 as it existed prior to 2002.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 18-1142, see section 1 of chapter 65, Session Laws of Colorado 2018.