Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has ordered flags be lowered to half-staff statewide on all public buildings from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, June 11, 2016 in honor of U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jeff Kuss, a native of Durango, Colorado.

Kuss, 32, died on June 2, 2016 when his plane crashed during a practice session for the Blue Angels airshow in Tennessee. He had his start in aviation in Pensacola, Florida in 2007 and joined the elite squadron of the Blue Angels in 2014. He received numerous awards during his career, including the Strike Flight Air Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. He also served in Afghanistan.

Kuss graduated from Durango High School and Fort Lewis College. He was married with two small children.

A private funeral for family and friends will be held in Durango on Saturday, June 11, 2016.