Darrell Raymond Knuffke
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Darrell R. Knuffke, 84, of Mancos, Colorado passed away at home on July 3, 2025. He was born in Craig, Colorado and
grew up in Brighton where he graduated from high school.He attended the University of Denver where he majored in Mass Communication.
He edited newspapers in Littleton, Breckenridge, Gunnison and Idaho Springs before moving to Washington, D.C. Subsequently, he served as Special Assistant to the Solicitor of the Department of the Interior and as the Department’s Deputy Undersecretary. He returned to Colorado in 1981 where he worked for the Colorado Office of Energy Conservation before joining the Wilderness Society in 1985 where he would remain until his retirement.
It was in advocating for America’s public lands and wilderness that Darrell found his voice. He was passionate, articulate, and dogged in advocating for protection of the lands that belong to all Americans. He was instrumental in establishing the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and served on its board for 40 years. He was a key figure in assuring the enactment of the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993, among other legislative accomplishments. .At various times he served on the governing boards of the National Outdoor Leadership School, Northeast Minnesotans for Wilderness, and the Friends of the Boundary Waters.
Most of all, Darell was a wonderful, funny and deeply kind person. He was a gifted writer and editor. He could always be counted on to say something that brought joy or laughter. He was a mentor to many in the environmental movement and his influence will continue well beyond the present.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara West of Mancos; his daughter, Rebecca of Silver Spring, Maryland, sisters Sharon Livingston of Brighton and Susan Larson of Colorado Springs; and brothers, Doug of Punta Gorda, Florida and Brian of Lafayette, Colorado. His first wife, Jeanette and Rebecca’s mother, pre-deceased him.
