Daniel Keith Felten, beloved son, father, brother, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on June 5th, 2026, just a few weeks after his 60th birthday. Born on May 21st, 1966 in Salina, KS, Dan was the second son of John and Cecelia Felten. The family relocated to Arvada, CO when Dan was a young child, where he grew up camping, biking, skiing, and exploring the Colorado mountains.

Dan graduated from Arvada West High School in 1984 and started his undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado before transferring to Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU). He graduated with his undergraduate degree in accounting and finance before earning his Master of Business Administration at Regis University. He served as a dedicated federal employee with the Department of Veterans Affairs for approximately 30 years. Retirement allowed him to pursue his passion for music by working backstage at live events in Denver and the surrounding area.

As of his latest count, Dan had attended around 500 concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheater and held a collection of nearly 1,000 vinyl records. No one can count how many hours he spent fixing cars, enjoying the mountains and lake, or going out of his way to help someone in need. Dan had a knack for fixing anything and loved the challenge of figuring out how things worked. Recently, he had designed and built several tools for his mother to use in her garden and greenhouse. Some of his favorite places to spend time were at the family cabin in Granby, CO or in his garage working on a project alongside his father.

He cared deeply for those in his life, including his two children, Kristen and Matthew, whom he shared with their mother, Paula. His children remember him as an involved dad throughout their lives—driving them to endless sports practices, teaching them to ski, taking them to the family cabin, boating on Lake Granby and Lake Powell, attending concerts at Red Rocks, and sharing his knowledge of cars and music. As someone who could make anyone feel at ease in his presence, Dan will forever be remembered for his ability to see the best in others.

Dan lived a life too big to be summed up in a few short paragraphs. He will be deeply missed by those he leaves behind. His family includes parents John and Cecelia Felten, children Kristen Felten and Matthew Felten, siblings John (Michelle) Felten, Elizabeth (Kurt) Smith, David (and his late wife Adina) Felten, many nieces and nephews, a large extended family, and countless friends whom he considered family.

A memorial for Dan will be held at the Fillmore Auditorium at 1510 N Clarkson St, Denver, CO 80218 on July 11, 2026, at 2pm. All are welcome to come celebrate Dan’s remarkable life.