Donald Anthony Birge was born in Denver Colorado to Caroline (Cora) Valeria and Leopold (Leo) Birge. He passed away unexpectedly August 9, 2025. Don attended East High School in Denver Colorado where he Graduated in 1971 and found his passion for the outdoors through senior seminar and Outward Bound. He attended Metro State College and majored in Sociology also doing photography for the College Newspaper. After his time at college he went on to spend some time in California with his Buddies but shortly discovered that the big city life was not for him. He then returned to Colorado and started working evenings at Willis Case Golf Course maintaining the Greens. Not long after he met the love of his life Clarisse Guerrero and they were married October 11, 1975. Together they had two daughters Catrina Birge Fitch married to Brendon Fitch and Dawn Birge. He has three grandchildren Alexis Glenn Fitch, Bridger Joseph Fitch and Matti Blu Gibson Birge. Don moved his family to Summit County Colorado (Silverthorne) in the Fall of 1979 He started working Construction which drove him to the passion of running heavy equipment and plowing snow one of his favorite jobs was being apart of digging out Maggie Pond. He started his construction business (Old Style Enterprises) in 2008. Don Successfully ran his business until he retired and Moved him and his wife to Canon City where they joined their daughter Dawn. In his retired years he helped his Daughter Dawn Run Her Yak ranch and spent his final days chicken tending and taking care of him and his wife’s beautiful home. Don loved his community and was instrumental to laying out the foundation work and lighting the way for the Silverthorne Recreation Center. Donald loved the mountains and everything that came with them!
He will always be remembered for being an adventurous man and if you went on an adventure with Donny you came back with one heck of a story! He made sure you had a great time sometimes taking you on a “Non Consensual Adrenaline Ride” but he always made sure you were safe and lived to tell the story. He was a listener a husband a father a grandfather and best friend anyone could have. Donny and Clarisse were known as Honey and Papo PAPO you will be missed and forever remembered by so many!