Don Childears served as president and CEO of the Colorado Bankers Association (CBA) from 1979-2021. CBA members have more than 95 percent of Colorado’s bank assets, offices and employees. Don served CBA since 1975, preceded by legislative and campaign work for a Colorado Congressman.

He completed his Juris Doctor from the University of Denver College of Law, and BSBA from Colorado State University, where he was student body president. He is a 1978 graduate of GSBC.

Community activities vary, including Common Sense Institute, Colorado Concern, Building a Better Colorado (treasurer), Colorado Competitive Council (chairman), BankPac (national board), Civil Justice League (chairman), the State’s board to fight financial fraud, Housing Council (chairman), the Dean’s board for the College of Business at Colorado State University, Kids Voting, boards of two graduate schools of banking, various business groups, and Republican activities and campaigns. He has served as the national chairman of state bankers associations, and on the board of the American Bankers Association. Business activities have included BancInsure (board & reinsurance committee), a publishing company, a network predating the internet, and a burglar alarm company.

He frequently presents and teaches government, political influence and banking. He has spoken on behalf of banking to media and made presentations to many groups and has received various awards. He’s from Saguache (rural Colorado town) and is married to Linda, retired president of the Daniels Fund (a $1.5B charitable foundation).