The Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners on Monday appointed Casey Bitting, D.O., F.C.A.P, as Arapahoe County Coroner, effective July 2, 2026, following the retirement of Coroner Kelly Lear, M.D. Dr. Bitting will complete the remainder of Dr. Lear's term, which extends through January 2027. She is also the sole candidate for the office in the November 2026 election.

The Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners on Monday appointed Casey Bitting, D.O., F.C.A.P, as Arapahoe County Coroner, effective July 2, 2026, following the retirement of Coroner Kelly Lear, M.D. Dr. Bitting will complete the remainder of Dr. Lear's term, which extends through January 2027. She is also the sole candidate for the office in the November 2026 election. "The Board is honored to appoint Dr. Casey Bitting as Arapahoe County's next coroner," said Board Chair Leslie Summey. "Dr. Bitting combines outstanding medical expertise with years of service to our community, making her exceptionally well prepared to lead the Coroner's Office. We're proud to have another physician serving in this role, and we know she will carry forward the office's vital mission—bringing clarity to families, supporting the pursuit of justice and ensuring that those who can no longer speak for themselves still have a voice." Dr. Bitting has served as a forensic pathologist with the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office since 2018. She is board certified in anatomic and forensic pathology by the American Board of Pathology and completed her forensic pathology fellowship at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Throughout her career, Dr. Bitting has contributed extensively to forensic pathology through research, publications, teaching and leadership. She serves as an attending physician for medical student, pathology resident, and forensic pathology fellow education, has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, and is an active member of several professional organizations, including the National Association of Medical Examiners, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and the College of American Pathologists. "I am honored by the Board's confidence and grateful for the opportunity to serve the residents of Arapahoe County in this role," said Dr. Bitting. "The Coroner's Office has an exceptional team dedicated to serving families with professionalism, compassion, and integrity. I look forward to building on Dr. Lear's legacy while continuing to provide the highest standard of medicolegal death investigation for our amazing community." Dr. Lear retires tomorrow after more than two decades of service to Arapahoe County, including 12 years as the elected coroner. She joined the Coroner's Office as a forensic pathologist in 2004 before being elected coroner in 2014. "Dr. Lear has dedicated her career to serving our community with compassion, professionalism and integrity," said Summey. "Her leadership strengthened the Coroner's Office, advanced the practice of forensic pathology, and provided comfort and answers to countless families during their most difficult moments. We thank her for more than 20 years of distinguished public service and wish her all the best in retirement." In her retirement letter to the Board, Dr. Lear praised the office's staff and expressed confidence in Dr. Bitting's leadership, citing her qualifications, experience and commitment to the community.