Don Drtina Etter, 91, of Denver, Colorado, died on the Winter Solstice, December 21, 2025, having well exceeded threescore years and ten.  He will be fondly remembered as a gentleman and a steward of the built environment and cultural landscape.  Born March 3, 1934 in Denver, he was the son of La Verne Lewis Etter and Rose Drtina Etter.  He received a B.A. in History from Yale University in 1955 and his J.D. from Harvard University in 1958.  He married the love of his life, Carolyn (Brush) Etter, in 1957 and they were spouses, partners, and friends thereafter.  Don joined Holland & Hart in 1958, where he practiced law for nearly 30 years.  He was an accomplished lawyer and draftsman and played a key role in the growth of the firm, recruiting and mentoring generations of young attorneys.  He was also responsible for purchasing the nucleus of the firm's fine collection of western art.  After retiring from the practice of law, Don increased his stewardship efforts.  These included, jointly with Carolyn, serving as Manager of the Denver Department of Parks and Recreation from 1987-1991.  Significant successes in preserving and improving the City's nearly 20,000 acres of urban and mountain parklands were achieved during this tenure.

Don D. Etter's interests and accomplishments were myriad.  He authored numerous books, gave countless tours and presentations, and was a gifted photographer and kindhearted role model.  He was a student of history and architecture and an advocate for the protection and preservation of architectural and landscape resources throughout the United States.  Among other achievements of stewardship, he was instrumental in the creation of the Ninth Street Historic Park in Denver.

Despite his intellect and accomplishments, Don was always humble.  He enjoyed travel, from local back roads to the Champs-Élysées.  Nature, beauty, and gardens had a special place in his heart. His family brought him joy and he cherished his time with them on trips, phone calls, laughing, and holding hands.  He also had many valued friendships from varied times and places, some of which he nurtured for decades.  Don was selflessly devoted to his family, who dearly loved and respected him.

Don is survived by his wife Carolyn Etter, son Greg (Jo Evelyn) Etter, daughter Katrina Etter (Charlie Brown), and grandchildren Robert Etter, Claire Etter, and Cheryl Etter, sister-in-law Maryanne Brush (Terri Bailey).

A service in Don's honor will be held Friday, January 9, 2026 at 2:00 pm at University Park Methodist Church, 2180 South University Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80210. A reception will follow at the Joy Burns Center – Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management on the DU Campus at 2044 E. Evans Ave., Denver, Colorado 80210.

In lieu of flowers, Don's wish was that donations be made to either: The Western History Department at the Denver Public Library/Special Collections & Archives ( DPL Friends – select "I would like to make this gift in honor/memory of an individual." or checks may be mailed in care of Denver Public Library Friends Foundation: 10 West 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver, CO 80204 with a notation in memo field: In Memory of Don D. Etter - Western History Department ); The Denver Botanic Gardens ( Denver Botanic Gardens ~ Gardens Fund or checks may be mailed to: Denver Botanic Gardens, 909 York Street, Denver, CO 80206 with a notation in memo field: In Memory of Don D. Etter ); or Blue Mountain Center of Meditation ( Blue Mountain Center of Meditation with a comment: In Memory of Don D. Etter ).