JOHNSTOWN, Colo. — Johnstown Town Councilmember Damien Berg, a military veteran, healthcare professional and longtime community volunteer, died Friday, October 30, 2026. His passing was announced by his family through the JM Post Facebook page.
According to the announcement, Berg died at 6:18 p.m. The family asked the community to keep his wife, Shannon, and their loved ones in their thoughts and prayers. Information about memorial services will be shared at a later date.
Berg’s life included service in the military, leadership in the healthcare industry and multiple terms as an elected official in Johnstown. His involvement in veterans’ organizations and local government reflected a longstanding connection to the community he and his family called home.
Years of Service to Johnstown
Berg and his family moved to Johnstown in 2007 following one of his overseas military deployments as a combat medic. According to his official Town of Johnstown biography, he soon became involved in community activities and developed an appreciation for the town.
He first joined Johnstown Town Council in 2010, serving until the summer of 2015, when a professional opportunity took him out of state. After approximately one year away, Berg and his family returned to Johnstown.
Berg returned to Town Council following the 2020 municipal election and was reelected in April 2024. His service included time as mayor pro tem, a position responsible for carrying out mayoral duties when the mayor is unavailable.
During his years in elected office, Berg participated in council decisions involving Johnstown’s municipal operations, infrastructure, public facilities, finances and development. His service spanned a period of significant growth and change for the community.
Military Service and Commitment to Veterans
Before entering local government, Berg served in the United States military, including service as a combat medic during an overseas deployment to Iraq.
According to his professional résumé, Berg served at Balad Hospital in Iraq from August 2005 through March 2006. His duties included providing emergency medical care to wounded personnel, supervising medical operations and training others in lifesaving procedures.
His military background also included service in the National Guard, where he held medical supervision and training responsibilities. His résumé documents work preparing military personnel for medical readiness and deployment, along with involvement in military disaster-response operations.
Berg’s commitment to veterans continued after his military service. He was involved with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2585 and American Legion Post 70, and his official town biography identified him as a commander of a local veterans’ organization.
The JM Post, which serves the Johnstown-Milliken veterans’ community, shared his family’s announcement Friday evening.
A Career in Healthcare and Patient Safety
In addition to his public service, Berg built an extensive career in healthcare, specializing in sterile processing, infection prevention, medical-device safety and organizational leadership.
His professional experience included leadership positions with UCHealth Northern Colorado and Centura Health, where he worked with hospital departments responsible for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical instruments and equipment used in patient care.
Beginning in July 2021, Berg served as vice president of strategic initiatives for the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), a professional organization focused on education, certification and advancing standards within the sterile processing field.
His responsibilities included developing professional partnerships, supporting industry initiatives and representing the organization in discussions with healthcare associations, regulatory bodies and standards-setting organizations.
Berg was also a past president of the organization formerly known as the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM), which later became HSPA.
His work extended to national and international healthcare standards development, including participation with the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation and the World Federation for Hospital Sterilisation Sciences.
His professional résumé lists several recognitions, including the 2012 Sterile Processing Manager of the Year award, a 2017 award for sterilization standards development and the 2023 HSPA Award of Honor.
Family and Life in Johnstown
Outside his professional and public responsibilities, Berg enjoyed spending time with his family, attending community events, motorcycle riding and writing.
His official town biography described his enjoyment of riding his motorcycle with his dog, Finnegan, who sometimes accompanied him in a sidecar.
Berg lived in Johnstown with his wife, Shannon, and maintained connections to the community through his service on Town Council, veterans’ organizations and volunteer activities.
His professional career and public service took him to different places and roles, but Johnstown remained the community he returned to after moving away for work in 2015.
Community Remembers Damien Berg
The JM Post announced Berg’s passing on behalf of his family Friday evening. The announcement requested thoughts and prayers for Shannon and the family and indicated that additional information about memorial services would follow.
At the time of publication, Johnstown Republic had not independently confirmed additional memorial arrangements or an official statement from the Town of Johnstown.
Berg’s years of service included caring for wounded military personnel, contributing to professional standards in healthcare and representing residents as a member of Johnstown Town Council.
His work in these areas forms part of his lasting record of public and professional service.
Johnstown Republic extends its condolences to Shannon Berg, their family, friends and members of the community mourning his passing.
This article will be updated as additional verified information becomes available.
