Bones Beneath the Surface: What to Do If You Find Bones in Denver

Bones Beneath the Surface: What to Do If You Find Bones in Denver

Published on September 23, 2025

Denver is no stranger to skeletons in the closet-or, more accurately, skeletons under the grass. Take Cheesman Park, for example. Before it became a beloved green space for joggers, picnickers, and ghost-story enthusiasts, it was a cemetery. In fact, recently, bones were uncovered near Cheesman Park. The bones were determined to be mostly animal remains; however, they included a partial human skull, later determined to be more than a century old.

With Denver's history, it's not impossible you might stumble across bones while gardening, hiking, or even renovating your home. But don't panic, Denver's Office of the Medical Examiner explains what you should do if you come across something spooky in the soil.

Who Should You Call?

If you find bones in Denver, your first call should be to the Denver Police Department's non-emergency line. Officers will either come to you or advise you to bring the remains to a nearby station.

Tip: Never assume you should handle bones yourself, leave them in place if possible, and let the experts decide the next steps.

Human or Animal?

Here's the comforting news: most bones you might encounter in the ground around Denver are not human.

Why? Historically, Denver was a hub for butchers, meatpacking, and hotdog-making. That means animal bones are far more common than human remains.

• Large bones (think big femurs) are usually from animals.
• Human bones tend to be smaller and shaped differently.
• Not sure? Call anyway. It's always better to be safe.

The Role of the Office of the Medical Examiner (OME)

If Denver police suspect bones may be human, they'll connect with the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner (OME).

• OME can often make an initial determination from a photo.
• If the bones look human, an anthropologist may be brought in to confirm details like age or ancestry.
• In cases where remains belong to Indigenous ancestors, the OME works with state authorities to ensure respectful reinterment.

Final Resting Places

So, while it might feel eerie to find bones in your backyard or on a walk through your neighborhood, remember:

• It's most likely animal remains.
• If determined to be human, our city has experts to handle the discovery with care and dignity.

This spooky season, as you swap ghost stories about Cheesman Park or tour haunted Denver landmarks, keep in mind that history really does lie just beneath our feet. And if you ever find bones? Now you know exactly what to do.

Check out some of the animal bones found around Denver

• Public Health & Environment