This guide to Colorado veteran benefits covers both state programs run through the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), and county partners, and federal VA benefits (health care, disability compensation, GI Bill®, VA home loans). This guide focuses on Colorado-specific benefits veterans and eligible family members use most often—property tax relief, National Guard tuition, employment and Restoration of Honor pathways, state cemetery services, and where to get free local help—updated for 2026.
Programs, dollar amounts, and eligibility rules change. Always confirm with the official agency linked below, your County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO), or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs before you apply.
Colorado Veteran Benefits: Population & Overview
The Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is a state agency under the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). DVA advocates for Colorado veterans, family members, and survivors in securing benefits through specially trained service officers. DVA is not the federal VA; it works with claimants on state and federal benefits and directs, trains, and assists County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) in every Colorado county.
Official multi-year veteran population projections are available from VA VetPop2023 / NCVAS. Use VA state tables for publishable headcounts rather than commercial rankings. Federal VA benefits are separate: enroll and file through VA.gov.
DVA Operations Office: 155 Van Gordon, Suite 201, Lakewood, CO 80228 · 303-914-5832 · Fax 303-914-5835 · Mon–Fri 8:00–4:30 · vets.colorado.gov
Major Colorado state programs at a glance
- County Veterans Service Officers — free claims help in every county
- Veteran with a Disability property tax exemption — 100% permanent SC / IU and Gold Star paths
- Colorado National Guard Tuition Waiver — up to 100% in-state tuition at designated public institutions (CONG members)
- Restoration of Honor Act — state recognition for certain LGBT veterans (does not change federal discharge)
- Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado — state veterans cemetery (Grand Junction)
- Military retirement income tax subtraction — under age 55 path (up to $15,000)
Colorado Veteran Medical & Healthcare Benefits
VA health care (federal)
Most clinical care for veterans is through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility depends on service history, discharge status, income in some priority groups, and other federal rules—not DVA membership. Disability compensation, pension, and related programs are also federal.
- Check eligibility and apply: VA health care eligibility · How to apply (10-10EZ)
- Find Colorado clinics and medical centers: VA facility locator
- Main VA line: 800-698-2411
Free claims assistance (state network)
Each Colorado county has a Veterans Service Office offering free assistance to veterans and family members with claims, applications, and appeals to the VA. DVA strongly recommends contacting the local CVSO before submitting a VA application. DVA also assists with appeals as advocate/attorney-in-fact before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals process as described on its About page.
Directory: County Veterans Service Offices · Claims: DVA Claims
State medical / veterans homes
Confirm current state-operated long-term care inventory with DVA/DMVA before relying on a specific Colorado veterans home list. Federal VA Community Living Centers and extended-care options apply under VA rules via the facility locator above.
Mental health crisis
If you or a veteran you know is in crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line immediately: dial 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. The Crisis Line is not limited to enrolled VA patients. veteranscrisisline.net
Colorado Veteran Housing Benefits
Colorado does not emphasize a separate statewide veteran mortgage program in DVA materials the way some Western states do. Housing-related Colorado veteran benefits center on property tax relief for certain disabled veterans and Gold Star spouses, plus federal VA loans.
Property tax exemption — Veteran with a Disability
Colorado’s Veteran with a Disability property tax exemption (administered with county assessors / DOLA Division of Property Taxation) requires, among other things:
- Active-duty service in U.S. armed forces and honorable discharge
- Service-connected disability rated by VA as 100% permanent through disability retirement benefits, or granted individual unemployability status
- Applicant or spouse is owner of record as of January 1 of the application year
- Property occupied as primary residence as of January 1
- Surviving spouse of a Veteran who previously received the exemption may also qualify under stated rules
Confirm the exact statutory valuation exemption amount/formula with DOLA and your county assessor—eligibility is well documented; published dollar relief can change.
Gold Star Spouse exemption
A separate pathway exists for spouses awarded Gold Star status through federal VA when the service member died in the line of duty or death resulted from service-related injury/disease, with ownership and primary-residence requirements.
Application timing
- Application period each year: January 1–July 1 (timely deadline with full appeal rights)
- Late window through August 1 without appeal rights if denied
- File with the county assessor where the property is located
- VA disability award letter required
Official: DOLA — Veteran with a Disability and Gold Star Exemptions
Federal VA home loan guaranty
Eligible veterans can use the federal VA home loan program through private lenders. Certificate of Eligibility and lender requirements apply.
Homeless veterans
- National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 877-424-3838 (24/7)
- VA homeless programs overview
- HUD-VASH · SSVF
Colorado Veteran Education Benefits
Education support under Colorado veteran benefits is strongest for Colorado National Guard members via the state Tuition Waiver; most other student-veteran aid is federal (GI Bill®, VR&E).
Colorado National Guard Tuition Waiver
DMVA administers a Tuition Waiver Program for Colorado Air and Army National Guard members covering up to 100% of in-state tuition at state-approved public Designated Institutions of Higher Education (DIHE) for credit-bearing undergraduate/graduate courses in an approved plan (part- or full-time; Fall/Spring/Summer).
Important limits (verify current statute/policy before applying):
- Does not cover mandatory fees, textbooks, out-of-state tuition, non-credit courses, or professional standalone licensures
- Members must establish in-state residency with the institution
- Applications required each semester during fixed open-enrollment windows (examples cited by DMVA: Fall June 1–20; Spring Nov 1–20; Summer April 1–20)
- FAFSA or CASFA submission proof required; other federal/state/private aid applied first under updated cost-share rules (DMVA materials describe HB26-1386 replacing a prior SB25-247 framework—re-check before you apply)
- Credit-hour lifetime caps by degree level (for example bachelor’s up to 130 credit hours per DMVA table)
This program is not a general veterans tuition free-ride—eligibility is Colorado National Guard–specific.
Contact: DMVA State Tuition Waiver Manager — [email protected] · 720-250-1313 · dmva.colorado.gov/tuition-waiver
Federal education benefits
Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Montgomery GI Bill®, DEA (Chapter 35), Yellow Ribbon, and VR&E remain federal benefits used widely at Colorado schools. CVSOs can assist with related claims. Explore: About GI Bill benefits.
Colorado Veteran Benefits for Employment & Tax
Military retirement income tax subtraction
Colorado allows an income tax subtraction for retired military servicemembers under age 55 for military retirement benefits included in federal taxable income, limited to $15,000 (lower limits for tax years 2021 and prior). Use form DR 0104AD. Separate pension/annuity/Social Security subtractions exist for individuals age 55+ under general retiree rules (not veteran-only). Confirm ordering rules and current-year instructions with the Colorado Department of Revenue.
DOR — Seniors and Retirees Tax Benefits
Property tax exemption
See Housing — 100% permanent service-connected disability / individual unemployability and Gold Star pathways administered with county assessors.
DMV — Disabled Veteran plates & military plates
Veterans meeting requirements may apply through DMV for one free Disabled Veteran plate; other military/award plates are available. Colorado DMV also maintains processes for active duty and veterans. Confirm exact VA disability thresholds and free-plate rules on current DMV pages.
Employment preference
Confirm current state hiring preference statute and mechanics with DVA and state personnel rules. The Restoration of Honor Act can open eligibility for veterans preference points for state employment under Colorado law for certain LGBT veterans whose federal discharge status is not changed by the Act (see Other benefits). Federal veterans’ preference and VA VR&E apply as elsewhere.
Colorado Other Veteran Benefits
Restoration of Honor Act
Colorado’s Restoration of Honor Act allows veterans discharged due to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to be recognized as discharged LGBT veterans under state law. It does not change federal discharge status but can open eligibility for specific Colorado programs, including: in-state tuition, veterans preference points for state employment, service-credit purchase/rollover, burial eligibility at Homelake Cemetery, CVSO appointment eligibility, and other benefits authorized under Colorado law.
Not eligible: dishonorable discharge, bad conduct discharge, or officer dismissal. Apply with DD214, personal affidavit, cover letter, and relevant records; email [email protected].
Restoration of Honor Act · DVA 303-914-5832
State cemetery — Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado
State veterans cemetery at 2830 Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction, CO 81501. Eligibility mirrors national cemetery rules plus Colorado residency. No charge for interment, gravesite/niche, headstone/marker, and perpetual care as described by DMVA. Office: 970-263-8986 · [email protected]. Early registration is available.
Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado
National cemeteries in Colorado
- Fort Logan National Cemetery
- Pikes Peak National Cemetery
- Eligibility: VA burial eligibility
- Scheduling: 800-535-1117
- State list: NCA — Colorado
Parks / hunting
DVA links Colorado Parks and Wildlife resources for hunters with disabilities. Confirm current disability license/pass rules with CPW—do not assume a free statewide license for all veterans.
CPW — Hunters with Disabilities
Federal recreation lands
U.S. military veterans and Gold Star families can get a free Military Lifetime Pass for entrance/day-use on many federal lands.
Grants (organizations)
DVA administers grant programs (for example the Veterans Assistance Grant) for eligible nonprofits and government entities—these are not individual entitlement grants. See vets.colorado.gov.
Federal disability compensation
Monthly tax-free compensation for service-connected disabilities is federal: VA disability · How to file. Your CVSO or an accredited VSO can help at no charge for basic claims assistance.
For comparison with another large Western program set, see our California veteran benefits guide.
How to Apply for Colorado Veteran Benefits
- County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) — free claims help. Directory: CVSO directory.
- Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs — 303-914-5832 · vets.colorado.gov · 155 Van Gordon, Suite 201, Lakewood, CO 80228
- Crisis support — Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255
- Property tax exemption — apply with county assessor Jan 1–July 1; include VA award letter · DOLA exemption page
- National Guard Tuition Waiver — apply via DMVA portal during open windows each term · Tuition Waiver · [email protected]
- Restoration of Honor — submit package to [email protected] · program page
- State cemetery — Grand Junction staff 970-263-8986 · early registration recommended
- Disabled Veteran plates — Colorado DMV
- Federal VA — va.gov · 800-698-2411
- Accredited representative — Find VA-accredited help
Official Resources & Contacts
Use these official links to verify and claim Colorado veteran benefits. Prefer .gov sources over third-party summaries.
| Resource | Link / contact |
|---|---|
| Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs | vets.colorado.gov · 303-914-5832 |
| DVA Operations Office | 155 Van Gordon, Suite 201, Lakewood, CO 80228 · Mon–Fri 8:00–4:30 |
| CVSO directory | County Veterans Service Offices |
| DVA Services and Benefits | Services and Benefits |
| Property tax exemptions (DOLA) | dpt.colorado.gov |
| CONG Tuition Waiver | dmva.colorado.gov/tuition-waiver · [email protected] |
| Veterans Memorial Cemetery (Grand Junction) | Cemetery page · 970-263-8986 |
| Restoration of Honor | Program page · [email protected] |
| Military retirement tax (DOR) | tax.colorado.gov |
| DMV military plates | dmv.colorado.gov |
| CPW hunters with disabilities | cpw.state.co.us |
| Veterans Crisis Line | 988 then 1 · text 838255 |
| VA.gov | va.gov · 800-698-2411 |
| VA facility locator | Find locations |
| Fort Logan National Cemetery | cem.va.gov |
| Pikes Peak National Cemetery | cem.va.gov |
| Homeless veterans hotline | 877-424-3838 |
Proud Veteran provides general information for veterans and families. We do not determine eligibility, provide legal or tax advice, or replace Colorado DVA, DMVA, county assessors, DMV, or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Verify every benefit with the linked official sources before you apply.
Explore more Western state guides from our West hub.