Joseph "Dan" Daniel Griego

Joseph Daniel "Dan" Griego, 82, of Fort Collins, Colorado passed away in Loveland, Colorado on December 12, 2025. Born in Trinidad, Colorado on November 26, 1943, he was the son of Nick Griego and Corrine Lopez Griego.

Dan grew up in southern Colorado as part of a large extended family. Favorite activities included roaming the hills outside Trinidad and Segundo, service as an altar boy, playing horseshoes, discovering arrowheads and other artifacts, and making mischief of all kinds. Dan graduated from Holy Trinity Catholic High School in 1961 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Colorado State University in 1967. He later completed a Master of Science degree in Business and became a member of the professional management organization Sigma Iota Epsilon.

After Dan received his undergraduate degree, he entered the U.S. Air Force and served as a buyer and contract administrator at the North American Air Defense Command Headquarters complex at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. During his military service he was responsible for training a squadron of 200 newly enlisted airmen, an experience he described as one of the most meaningful of his life. Following active duty, Dan continued his service in the Air Force Reserves and accepted a personnel position at Kaman Sciences Corporation, a research and development firm headquartered in Colorado Springs. In 1970 he married Diane Romp. They had four children, Sarah, Ben, Rachel, and Rebecca.

In 1974, Dan was hired as a personnel officer by Oak Ridge Associated Universities, a Tennessee-based nonprofit research and educational corporation consortium of 42 universities. In 1975, Dan accepted a position as assistant director of personnel services at Colorado State University, where he worked for 25 years with a focus on employee benefits and the university’s personnel management information system.

Throughout his career, Dan was part of multiple professional and community boards, coalitions, and committees. In 2000, Dan married his second wife Vivian, and also retired from CSU. He remained active working at the University of Denver and serving on the board of Canvas Credit Union.

Dan was intellectually curious, with interests in archaeology, geology, art, and history. His experience working with his father on construction projects provided him with many practical craft and trade skills. A devoted learner, Dan studied the Bible and felt a deep connection to his faith. He was a talented painter and enjoyed the arts, including live music and cultural festivals. A favorite leisure activity was driving in the mountains and spending time in nature.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Rebecca, and his wife Vivian. He is survived by his children Sarah, Ben (Fumie), and Rachel; siblings Toni, Pat, and Tom; as well as grandchildren, aunts, nephews, nieces, and many cousins across the country.

A memorial service and reception will be held at at 11 a.m. on May 28 at Allnutt Funeral Home in Fort Collins, followed by interment at Grandview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to organizations that reflect Dan’s generous support for nonprofits dedicated to animals, veterans, the environment, museums, children, Jewish and Native American communities, and people with disabilities.