Veterans Benefits in Colorado

Last verified: APR 22, 2026

Colorado veterans are eligible for 13 state and federal benefit programs, including Healthcare, Education, Employment, and more. Most state programs require state residency and a VA-issued disability rating; eligibility thresholds vary by program. This page lists every benefit with source URLs, application paths, and 2026 verification status.

What healthcare benefits does Colorado offer to veterans?

Colorado Veterans Community Living Centers

Long-term care services (Medicaid-accepted; VA per diem offsets costs)

Colorado operates state-run Veterans Community Living Centers (VCLCs) providing long-term skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, memory care, respite care, and hospice services at five locations across the state.

Agency: Colorado Department of Human Services

Note: Five locations: Fitzsimons (Aurora), Florence, Homelake (Monte Vista), Rifle, and Walsenburg. Eligible: honorably discharged veterans, spouses/widows, Gold Star parents. Accepts Medicaid and private pay. Services include skilled nursing, PT/OT/speech therapy, respite care, and hospice.

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Which education benefits are available to Colorado veterans?

Colorado National Guard Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance for Guard members

Provides tuition assistance and fee waivers for Colorado National Guard members attending Colorado public higher education institutions.

Agency: Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Note: Can be used simultaneously with GI Bill and Federal TA, but combined benefits cannot exceed 100% of tuition. GI Bill still provides housing allowance and book stipend on top.

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Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP)

Tuition waiver for up to 8 semesters (up to 6 years)

Provides tuition assistance at Colorado public higher education institutions for dependents of deceased or permanently disabled National Guard members, law enforcement officers, and firefighters, as well as dependents of POWs or persons missing in action.

Agency: Colorado Department of Higher Education

Note: Eligible dependents: children of National Guard killed/permanently disabled on state active duty, POWs, or MIA personnel. Must enroll before age 24. Requires 2.5 cumulative GPA. Must complete FAFSA annually. Maximum 8 semesters within 6 years.

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Which employment benefits does Colorado offer to veterans?

Colorado State Employment Preference for Veterans

5-10 point preference on state employment examinations

Colorado provides a veterans hiring preference for state government positions by adding 5 or 10 points to passing examination scores. Five points for honorably discharged veterans; ten points for disabled veterans receiving VA compensation.

Agency: Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration

Note: 5 points for honorably discharged veterans who served during declared/undeclared wars. 10 points for disabled veterans receiving VA compensation. Does NOT apply to promotions. Spouses of eligible veterans may also qualify.

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Which financial benefits does Colorado offer to veterans?

Colorado Military Family Relief Fund

Grants for food, housing, utilities, and medical costs during deployment

The Military Family Relief Fund provides grants to Colorado National Guard families to help cover costs of food, housing, utilities, and medical services when a family member is called to active duty or deployed.

Agency: Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Note: For Colorado National Guard members and families. Applications reviewed at monthly meetings (~30 days processing). Funded by state appropriations and tax-deductible donations.

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How does Colorado handle veteran property tax exemptions?

Colorado Military Retirement Pay Income Tax Subtraction

Up to $15,000–$24,000 subtraction depending on age (tax savings of $660–$1,056 at 4.4% rate)

Colorado allows retired military servicemembers to subtract a portion of their military retirement pay from state taxable income. Retirees under 55 may subtract up to $15,000; those 55-64 may subtract up to $20,000; and those 65+ may subtract up to $24,000.

Agency: Colorado Department of RevenueDeadline: Annual tax filing deadline (April 15)

Note: Claimed on DR 0104AD Subtractions from Income Schedule. Under 55: up to $15,000. Ages 55-64: up to $20,000. Ages 65+: up to $24,000. Applies only to military retirement benefits included in federal taxable income.

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Colorado Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption

50% exemption on first $200,000 in value

Veterans with a 100% service-connected permanent disability receive a 50% exemption on the first $200,000 of their primary residence's value.

Agency: Colorado Division of Property Taxation / County AssessorDeadline: July 1 each year

Note: 50% exemption on first $200k of actual value. Must be 100% P&T. Apply at county assessor by July 1. Surviving spouses retain exemption.

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Which transportation benefits does Colorado offer to veterans?

Colorado Disabled Veteran Vehicle Registration Exemption

Full registration fee and ownership tax waiver on one vehicle ($100–$700+/year)

Colorado veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected permanent disability are exempt from vehicle registration fees and ownership tax on one vehicle.

Agency: Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles / Division of Veterans Affairs

Note: Requires 50%+ service-connected permanent disability, or loss of use of feet/hands, or permanent blindness. Exemption covers one vehicle at a time. Per HB20-1190, disabled veteran license plate is NOT required. Also exempt from sales tax on vehicles modified with adaptive equipment.

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Colorado Purple Heart License Plate Fee Waiver

License plate and fee waiver

Purple Heart recipients in Colorado receive a free Purple Heart license plate and are exempt from associated vehicle registration fees.

Agency: Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles

Note: Purple Heart recipients only. Free plate and registration fee waiver. Also: CO 100% disabled veterans get free veteran license plates.

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Which recreation benefits does Colorado offer to veterans?

Colorado State Parks Free Admission for Disabled Veterans

Free annual park pass (valued at $120/year)

Colorado resident veterans with service-connected disabilities and Purple Heart recipients receive a free Independence Pass providing unlimited year-round access to all Colorado state parks.

Agency: Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Note: Independence Pass is transferable between vehicles but pass holder must be present. Holders 64+ get $3/night camping discount. All veterans get free entry in August and on Veterans Day. Renew annually online or in person.

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Colorado Disabled Veteran Free Hunting & Fishing License

Free lifetime license (valued at ~$100+/year)

Colorado Parks and Wildlife issues a free lifetime combination small-game hunting and fishing license to Colorado resident veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability rating and to Purple Heart recipients.

Agency: Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Note: Lifetime combination small-game hunting and fishing license. 50%+ SC disability or Purple Heart required. Big game tags require separate draw. Apply via cpwshop.com or by mail. Must provide VA letter or DD214.

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Which additional benefits does Colorado offer to veterans?

Colorado Veterans Treatment Courts

Alternative to incarceration with treatment services

Colorado veterans treatment courts are problem-solving courts that divert justice-involved veterans with substance use disorders, mental health conditions, or traumatic brain injuries away from incarceration and into supervised treatment programs with mentor support.

Agency: Colorado Criminal Justice Programs Unit / Judicial Branch

Note: Multiple judicial districts have VTCs; the 4th Judicial District (El Paso/Teller counties) was Colorado's first. Minimum 12-month program with four phases. Requires complete sobriety. Volunteer mentor program pairs trained mentors with participants. Honorable discharge not always required.

Apply →Source

Colorado Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Free burial services (gravesite, headstone, vault, perpetual care)

The Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado in Grand Junction provides burial services at no cost to eligible veterans and their dependents, including a gravesite or niche, headstone, concrete vault, opening/closing, and perpetual care.

Agency: Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Note: Located at 2830 Riverside Pkwy, Grand Junction, CO 81501. No charge for interment. Includes gravesite/niche, granite headstone/marker, concrete vault, US flag, and perpetual care. Eligible: veterans with honorable discharge and CO residency, plus spouses and minor dependents.

Apply →Source
“Claimed on DR 0104AD Subtractions from Income Schedule. Under 55: up to $15,000. Ages 55-64: up to $20,000. Ages 65+: up to $24,000. Applies only to military retirement benefits included in federal taxable income.”

Frequently asked questions

What benefits does Colorado offer to disabled veterans?

Colorado offers 13 veteran benefit programs spanning Healthcare, Education, Employment, Financial, Tax, Transportation, Recreation, Other. Eligibility requirements vary by program — most require a VA-issued disability rating and state residency.

Do I need a specific disability rating to qualify for Colorado veteran benefits?

Many Colorado benefit programs require a minimum VA disability rating — commonly 10%, 50%, or 100%. Some programs, such as education assistance or employment preference, have no rating requirement. Check each benefit listing on this page for the specific threshold.

Do I need to be a Colorado resident to claim state veteran benefits?

Most Colorado state benefits require current state residency. Some programs require continuous residency for one or more years. Federal VA benefits are available to all eligible veterans regardless of state of residence.

Can I stack Colorado benefits with federal VA benefits?

Yes — in most cases, state and federal veteran benefits are stackable. For example, a property tax exemption from Colorado does not reduce your federal VA disability compensation. Some federal needs-based programs may offset certain state payments; review each program's terms.

Where do I apply for Colorado veteran benefits?

Applications for Colorado state benefits are typically submitted through the Colorado Department of Veterans Affairs or the administering state agency. Application links are listed directly on each benefit card on this page. Federal VA benefits are applied for at VA.gov.

Does Colorado offer a property tax exemption for disabled veterans?

Yes — Colorado has at least one property tax benefit listed for veterans. Eligibility typically requires a minimum disability rating and state residency. See the Tax section on this page for the current threshold and application link.

Does Colorado have a veteran tuition waiver or education assistance program?

Yes — Colorado offers education benefits for veterans. These may include tuition waivers, National Guard tuition assistance, or supplemental GI Bill top-ups. See the Education section on this page for current programs and eligibility.

Is an honorable discharge required to qualify for Colorado veteran benefits?

Most Colorado state benefit programs and all federal VA benefit programs require an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge. Veterans with other-than-honorable discharges may still qualify for some programs; consult a VSO or accredited claims agent for individual eligibility.

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