[1] In 2023 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree by North Carolina State University.
[2] Fentress graduated from North Carolina State University's College of Design, School of Architecture in 1972.
DIA was voted the "Best Airport in North America" for four consecutive years[3] and the fourth "Favourite American Architecture" landmark completed in the last fifteen years,[4] ahead of the Getty Centre, TransAmerica Building and the Guggenheim Museum.
[8][9] The Jefferson Award recognizes Fentress for "a portfolio of accomplishments that evidences great depth while making a significant contribution to the quality of public architecture.
"[10] Fentress was inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce in 2017.