Senate Bill 21-006 Summary

• Defines "natural reduction" as the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil, and establishes it as a legal method of final disposition alongside burial, cremation, and entombment.

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

• Requires natural reduction facilities to obtain permission from persons with right of final disposition before processing remains, with unclaimed remains returned to earth respectfully after 180 days.

• Updates funeral, estate, and public assistance statutes throughout Colorado law to recognize natural reduction as an approved final disposition method with the same legal status as cremation.

• Appropriates $20,000 to the Department of Public Health and Environment for implementation; act takes effect 90 days after final adjournment unless subject to voter approval via referendum.