Remembering CU Anschutz Deputy Chief of Police Dan Mark, 6-8-22

Dear students, faculty and staff,

It is with great sadness that we announce that CU Anschutz Deputy Chief of Police Dan Mark passed away last night of natural causes. Our deepest condolences go out to Deputy Chief Mark’s family, and his many colleagues on our campus, in our community and throughout the Denver metro area.

Dan Mark joined the CU Anschutz Police Department in April 2019 as deputy police chief after nearly four decades of experience as a Colorado POST-certified police officer. His career included 11 years at the rank of sergeant and nine at the rank of lieutenant. He had a meaningful impact in the Aurora community, most recently serving with the Aurora Police Department as a SWAT hostage negotiator and subsequently as the commanding officer in the department’s electronic support section.

In addition to his roles with the CU Anschutz and Aurora police departments, Deputy Chief Mark served as an adjunct instructor at the Community College of Aurora for 25 years. He held a bachelor’s degree in police administration from the University of Northern Arizona, and associate degrees in criminalistics and law enforcement. 

Deputy Chief Mark’s colleagues at the CU Anschutz Police Department describe him as a tremendous leader, mentor and confidante, and a truly exemplary police officer.

Deputy Chief Mark is survived by his wife, Patti; son, Ryan; daughter-in-law, Megan; and two granddaughters, Aubrey and Olivia; as well as his mother, Leota, of Ankeny, Iowa; and sister, Dee Simonsen, of Altoona, Iowa.

We were fortunate to have such a dedicated and beloved leader as a part of our police department and our campus community. Campus flags have been lowered to half-staff, and the Fitzsimons Building will be lit in blue as we honor Deputy Chief Mark’s memory. We will miss him greatly.

Sincerely,

Don Elliman
Chancellor

Terri Carrothers
Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer