Larimer County Coroner
Experienced, Educated, and Motivated by Public Good
The Larimer County Coroner is responsible for investigating any death that does not occur from natural causes. Responsibilities include deaths while a person is in custody, within 24 hours of being admitted to a hospital, and all fatal traffic deaths, homicides, and suicides. The Coroner and the staff of medicolegal investigators work closely with law enforcement agencies and are on-call 24 hours a day.
Larimer County has had only two coroners since 1979 both Republican. Stephen Hanks wants a coroner’s office that supports and represents progressive and democratic missions of protecting civil rights, education, healthcare, housing, and equality for all Larimer County residents and visitors. He is bringing his experience as a Medicolegal Death Investigator and Morgue Manager as well as advanced degrees in Criminology and Law to ensure the Office of Coroner is run with the integrity, compassion and professionalism he believes the public deserves.
Proactive and Committed to Public Service
Mr. Hanks believes the coroner should play an active role in the issues affecting the Larimer County community and will work alongside county leaders, law enforcement, health care workers, educators, nonprofits and community leaders and members to address community concerns.
Data Availability and Transparency
An essential mission of the Coroner’s Office is providing information in an effective and efficient manner to those who need it. Mr. Hanks will prioritize accessibility and transparency of data in a timely fashion.
Personal Dignity and Privacy
Understanding the importance of protecting personal dignity and privacy of information, Mr. Hanks will take all necessary protections to honor both.
Diversity in the Coroner’s Office
Mr. Hanks sees a need for more diversity in the office tso that it can represent and support the diversity in our community. Currently there is only one Spanish speaking death investigator and no means to transcribe autopsy reports in Spanish or other languages. Mr. Hanks recently met with the NoCo Latino Chamber of Commerce and hopes to partner with them to recruit bilingual investigators.
In addition to a law degree and a Master of Science in Criminology, Mr. Hanks holds numerous certificates from FEMA in Emergency Management, Incident Command, and Leadership. He graduated the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy with honors and is a certified Emergency Medical Technician.
Mr. Hanks graduated from Poudre High School in June 2001, and promptly enlisted in the United States Army. He completed his enlistment after a deployment to Iraq moved back to Fort Collins and worked as a diesel mechanic and shop foreman before pursuing his passion in criminology, medicine, and law.
For more information about Stephen Hanks and his qualifications to be Larimer County Coroner, visit his web page.