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Veterans Benefits in Colorado

13 benefit programs available in Colorado.

Healthcare

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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Education

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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Employment

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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Financial

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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Tax

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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Transportation

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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Recreation

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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Other

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.

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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.

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