HB 20-1060: Natural Reduction of Human Remains

• Authorizes "natural reduction" (contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil) as a legal method of final disposition in Colorado alongside burial, cremation, and entombment.

• Replaces references to specific disposition methods ("burial," "cremation," "interment," "entombment") with "final disposition" throughout Colorado statutes to encompass natural reduction.

• Prohibits selling soil produced from natural reduction, commingling remains of multiple persons without consent, and using natural reduction soil to grow food for human consumption.

• Updates funeral regulations, probate code, life insurance statutes, public assistance provisions, and anatomical gift laws to recognize natural reduction as a valid disposition option.

• Appropriates $20,000 to the Department of Public Health and Environment for implementing the law and takes effect August 5, 2020, subject to voter approval if a referendum petition is filed.