Pete Betka, 70, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away March 18, 2026, surrounded by the love and presence of his family.
Pete was born in Denver, Colorado, the youngest of eleven children to Edwin and Beatrice Betka, and grew up in the close-knit Park Hill neighborhood. In fifth grade, he joined a ski club that bused Denver children to Loveland Ski Area—an experience that ignited a lifelong love of skiing and the mountains.
Pete helped build the Coors brand from the ground up, beginning as a delivery truck driver and later serving as a Coors executive. In 1999, he and two partners founded RMC Distributing in Colorado Springs, growing the company into a trusted beer distributor serving Southern Colorado and earning premier industry recognition year after year.
Pete is survived by his beloved wife, Patti; and children: Zach Betka, Alex Betka, Matthew (Christian) Friesen, Bekah (Mike) DiFelice, and Rachel (Nathan) Gibson. His six grandchildren—Kate, Molly, Paige, Conrad, Nolan, and Khai—will always remember “Pops” for taking them on food runs to donate to the local food bank and helping them learn how to ski.
Motivated by his deep Christian faith, Pete was known for his practical kindness and prolific generosity. Displayed on the wall of his office was a quote by W.E.B. Du Bois that reflected the way he approached life:
“Let us seize the day and the opportunity… and strive for greatness of spirit that measures life not by its disappointments, but by its possibilities.”
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 10, 2026, at The World Prayer Center, 11025 Voyager Pkwy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. A reception will follow from 3:00–6:00 p.m. at Keg 1 Colorado, 1525 Newport Rd, Colorado Springs, Colorado, the distributorship Pete helped build.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nancy’s Hope, a charity Pete founded to provide emergency assistance to vulnerable women and children in the Colorado Springs area.