Mike Carry, secretary-treasurer of the anatomical board, told The Denver Post the organization needs at least 20 more bodies to meet the needs of colleges and universities for the fall semester.

The board said the shortage is due to an increase in demand, decrease in donations and competition from private companies that deal in body parts.

"I don't recall a body shortage like this as long as I've been in charge," Richard Krugman, who has been chairman of the state Anatomical Board for 18 years, told the newspaper.