Hallfords appear in court, plea date rescheduled as expected

Jon and Carie Hallford, owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home, had their plea date delayed Friday as expected to allow time for the federal plea process to finish.

The funeral home, about 35 miles southwest of Colorado Springs in Penrose that has since been demolished by the EPA , came under a multi-agency investigation in October 2023 after reports of a complaint about a foul odor in the area. Investigators said they found nearly 190 bodies in various states of decomposition that were not properly stored.

The Hallfords were scheduled to enter a plea in the state-level case Friday, but prosecution asked for a new date, now set for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 8.

Recently, the Hallfords told the court that they would accept a plea deal in their federal case, according to court documents obtained by The Gazette, which would result in both of them being sentenced to 15 years in prison. They will need to return to federal court to complete the plea proceedings.

The 4th Judicial District courtroom was packed Friday afternoon with several families of victims filling both sides of the room. It was an emotional scene, with hugs shared and tears shed prior to the courtroom doors opening.

Plans to delay the state court proceedings were stated earlier this week in emails shared with The Gazette between prosecutors and victimized family members.

The November plea date for the state case will follow the federal plea date set for Oct. 24. Prosecution expects the subsequent state sentencing date to trail the federal-level sentencing, anticipated for early 2025.

In July, the Hallfords were offered a plea deal in their state case, where they face 286 criminal charges.