Colorado Funeral Home Owner to Change Plea, Avoid Trial After Financial Crime Charges

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Carie Hallford, co-owner of the now-defunct Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, is set to change her plea in a federal case tied to financial crimes, according to newly filed court documents. As a result, she will no longer face trial this fall.

Hallford and her husband, Jon Hallford, made headlines in 2023 after nearly 200 decomposing bodies were discovered improperly stored at their funeral home. The facility was demolished in April 2024.

Both Carie and Jon had already pleaded guilty to state charges of abuse of a corpse. The federal case, however, focuses on alleged financial crimes committed by the couple.

Jon Hallford pleaded guilty to those charges and was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on June 27.

Carie Hallford had initially entered a not guilty plea in the federal case, but court documents now confirm a change of plea hearing is scheduled. Her jury trial, originally set for September 8, and a pre-trial conference on September 5, have both been vacated.

Carie Hallford’s change of plea hearing is scheduled for August 4 at 10 a.m. in federal court.

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