Colorado Veteran Benefits

May claim a military retired pay subtraction up to the following amounts:

DIC is a tax free benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

May claim a subtraction up to $24,000

Reserve component service members who are called to federal active duty may be eligible to defer payment of their property taxes. Service members must pay all their deferred property taxes when they are deactivated.

Colorado offers a property tax exemption to eligible disabled Veterans and surviving spouses. The exemption is 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value of their primary residence.

Former Colorado resident service members who reacquire Colorado residency can claim an income tax subtraction for military pay (included in their federal taxable income) they received for active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces after reacquiring Colorado residency.

Nonresident active duty service members are exempt from the Colorado Specific Ownership Tax on their vehicles. Service members must be the owner or co-owner of the vehicle and complete the Colorado Department of Revenue, Nonresidence and Military Service Exemption from Specific Ownership Tax Affidav

For tax years beginning January 1, 2025, taxpayers age 55 to 64 at the end of the tax year may subtract the entire amount of Social Security income included in their federal taxable income if their adjusted gross income is less than the following thresholds:

Operation Recognition will provide high school diplomas to Colorado Veterans who left high school before receiving a diploma to serve in World War II (WWII), Korea or Vietnam.

Veterans who are using VR&E Assistance from the VA are eligible for Colorado residency for tuition purposes if they have made or will make Colorado their permanent residence prior to the first day of class.

The Colorado UI program provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. UI is a partial, short-term replacement for lost wages while workers are seeking other work and is not intended to be a permanent source of income.

The Colorado National Guard Foundation assists Colorado National Guard Service members who are experiencing financial hardship by offering loans, grants and gift cards to service members and families in need.

The Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs provides grants to help organizations that support Veterans. The types of programs may include transportation programs, food and shelter for homeless Veterans and their families, incarcerated Veterans' programs, homeless stand downs, job assis

Eligible disabled Veterans and Purple Heart recipients are authorized a free annual Independence Parks Pass that provides unlimited access to all Colorado State Parks. Eligible Veterans can renew the Independence Pass each year if they remain a Colorado resident.

Nonresident active duty service members stationed at a military installation in Colorado and Colorado resident service members who are deployed outside the U.S can apply to receive preference points for any limited license draw that occurred during their deployment to be used when they redeploy.

Nonresident active duty service members stationed at a military installation in Colorado and Colorado resident service members who are deployed outside the U.S.can apply to purchase leftover licenses after the primary and secondary draws and prior to the annual leftover purchase date.

Service members can receive a hunting license refund or have their preference points returned if they are deployed after applying for a hunting license. For more information, please call 303-291-7208.

Colorado resident service members serving on active duty and permanently stationed outside the state may fish without a license while home on leave. Service members must carry a copy of their leave papers with them while fishing and cannot use this exemption for more than 30 days per year.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission (CPW) sets aside free licenses for service members who have been so severely injured that they require ongoing medical treatment. CPW allocates 100 each of male and female deer, elk and pronghorn licenses.

Colorado offers a free lifetime combination fishing and small-game hunting license to eligible disabled Veterans and Purple Heart recipients. Eligible Veterans can choose to only apply for the fishing license if they so desire.

Service members serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces and Veterans ​who do not have a hunter education card from Colorado or another state can test out of the Colorado hunter education requirements.

Colorado has special waterfowl season dates only for Veterans and service members serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces. Please visit the "Learn more…" link below for a list of dates and locations.

State employees who are service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for 15 days of paid military leave per year during authorized training or call to state or federal active duty.

Colorado offers Veterans' hiring preference for eligible Veterans and their spouses when they apply for state employment. Preference does not apply for promotions.

Colorado private employers are authorized by Colorado law to have a Veterans' preference policy when hiring. The policy must be in writing and applied uniformly in all hiring decisions.

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's Veteran Employment Specialists help eligible Veterans and their spouses who are seeking employment. Their goal is to provide Veterans with the information necessary to make confident career choices. All their services are free of charge.

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.

Health and pension plan coverage for service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium.

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) licenses and regulates more than 50 licensed professions and occupations and is committed to providing professional support and customer service to service members, Veterans and their

The Colorado Hilton Honors Military Program helps make the career transition from service in the U.S. Armed Forces to civilian employment easier for current and former service members. The Hilton Honors Military Program provides hotel accommodation for required employment related travel.

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component service members and their families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military Service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan, available worldwide for Selected Reserve, (U.S. Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard service members) and their families who meet the following qualifications:

The Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, located in Grand Junction, Colorado offers a dignified final resting place for Colorado Veterans and their eligible family members.

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains three national cemeteries in Colorado. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Colorado offers a military and Veteran identifier on Colorado driver licenses and ID cards to honorably discharged resident Veterans and service members. The identifier will also indicate the Veteran's or service member's branch of service

Colorado resident service members serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces who are stationed outside Colorado are eligible for a free three year extension to their driver license.

The Colorado Fallen Soldier license plate is available for the immediate family members of a Soldier who died in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Army.

Colorado offers a CDL skills test waiver to service members and former service members (within one year of discharge) based on their military training and experience.

Colorado has five Veterans Community Living Centers that provide resident-centered long-term care and a supportive living environment for Veterans and their eligible family members.

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in Colorado enter Colorado in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link below.