Cristian Doran Sarmento

Cristian Sarmento, age 37, was born in Denver on February 5, 1986. Cristian was an award-winning athlete, a dedicated teacher, and a world-wide explorer.

For the last 11 years, Cristian worked as a physical education teacher in Denver Public Schools; most recently with Cole Arts and Sciences Academy. He volunteered for the Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Club, and Crossing Homeless Shelter.  Always looking to give back to the athletic community, Cristian spent countless hours as a coach and referee for dozens of youth teams. He identified strongly with his Blackfeet native roots and was especially connected and dedicated to serving underprivileged communities.  Cristian frequented sweat lodges where he felt accepted and healed.  In his travels, he donated sporting gear to kids in Peru and other countries around the world. He was a truly passionate teacher that was greatly loved by the children he mentored. He was awarded “Teacher of the Year” in 2019 and had distinguished ratings. His hard work and positive impact on youth was his greatest legacy.

Cristian was a legendary warrior and athlete, having received dozens of sporting accolades for his achievements. He started playing football as a teenager and went on to play for the Wheat Ridge Farmers and Lakewood Tigers in high school. Cristian received a full ride scholarship to the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. In college, he earned top honors as Big Sky Conference 1st team All-Conference and was named captain of the football team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in sports and exercise science. After his football career, Cristian continued to play sports with the Glendale Raptors rugby team. His herculean strength and fearlessness were well known and respected on the field. Sports and physical activity were his lifelong passion, but sadly he sustained multiple concussions over the years which contributed to his untimely death.

Mr. Sarmento, or Scarlie, as he liked to joke, was a life-long Coloradan, but traveled far and wide. He regularly went to Alaska during the summers to work on commercial salmon fishing boats in Bristol Bay. He often visited his brother in Montana where he explored the mountains and prairies while hunting with his trusty recurve bow. He was a descendent of Mountain Chief, of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana. Cristian is survived by his mother, Carolyn (John Williams) Doran, father, Michael (Cindy Henke) Sarmento, his brother, Wesley Sarmento, his stepsister, Rose Murphy, and his Aunt Tina (Steve) Usick, and cousin, Elly Usick.

Memorial Services will be held at Westwoods Community Church on Friday February 9th at 4:00. Potluck following the ceremony. Those wanting to share memories of Cristian are welcome. Please bring a dish or beverages so we can break bread and celebrate Scarlie’s life!

7700 W. Woodard Drive, Lakewood, CO. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to the Colorado Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Club, or the Concussion Legacy Foundation.