COLORADO STATE VETERAN BENEFITS
Colorado offers various benefits for veterans. On this page, you’ll find a concise overview of each of these benefits.
Colorado State Veterans Community Living Centers
Colorado is home to five state veterans’ homes situated in Aurora, Florence, Homelake, Rifle, and Walsenburg. These homes extend admission to honorably discharged veterans, spouses, widows, and Gold Star parents. Each facility provides round-the-clock nursing care, meals, physician services, restorative therapy, transportation, a range of activities, and an all-inclusive rate.
Colorado Veteran Financial Benefits
Property Tax Exemption
A property tax exemption is available for 50% of the initial $200,000 of a home’s value for veterans who are 100% permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected reasons. However, individuals receiving 100% disability solely due to an individual unemployability rating are ineligible for this exemption.
Income Tax on Active Duty Pay
Active-duty military pay becomes tax-exempt if the service member is stationed and has spent at least 305 days outside the continental United States. Similarly, spouses can also be exempt if they meet the same requirements.
Income Tax on Retired Military Pay
Military retirees have the option to exclude a portion of their retirement income from state taxes, with the exclusion amount varying based on age:
- Individuals under age 55 can exclude up to $15,000.
- Those between ages 55 and 64 can exclude up to $20,000.
- Individuals aged 65 and over can exclude up to $24,000.
The same rules apply for Survivor Benefit Plan payments.
Military Family Relief Fund
Colorado offers grants to families of reservists/Guard members who have been called to active duty or to families of active-duty members serving in a combat zone.
These grants aim to assist families in covering expenses such as food, housing, utilities, medical services, and other essential needs.
Colorado State Veteran Employment Benefits
In Colorado, veterans receive preference through the addition of extra points to their passing grade in state employment examinations. Eligibility criteria include:
Five-point preference for:
- Honorably discharged active-duty veterans who served during wartime or received a campaign medal.
- Spouses of veterans unable to work due to a service-connected disability.
- Widows/widowers of deceased veterans entitled to veterans’ preference.
Ten-point preference for:
- Honorably discharged veterans currently receiving U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability or pension benefits.
Colorado National Guard Education Benefits
All members of the Colorado National Guard qualify for state tuition assistance, covering up to 100% of tuition expenses at any Colorado state-funded institution, subject to funding availability. This state funding can be utilized alongside federal tuition assistance.
Deadlines are set throughout the year for each academic term.
Eligibility: Colorado National Guard members must serve two years for each year of tuition assistance granted.
Colorado Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting and Fishing License for Disabled Veterans
Resident veterans with a permanent service-connected disability of 60% or higher, as well as residents receiving treatment at a VA hospital within Colorado, are eligible for a complimentary lifetime combination small-game hunting and fishing license.
Hunting and Fishing License for Active Duty
Non-residents of Colorado and their families can obtain hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate during their time stationed in the state.
Resident Fishing While Home on Leave
Colorado residents who are on active duty and permanently stationed outside of the state are permitted to fish without a license while in Colorado on temporary leave.
Free State Park Admission
Throughout the entire month of August and on Veterans Day, all active-duty members and veterans can access Colorado state parks for free. This benefit is not restricted by residency.
State Park Admission for Disabled Veterans
Veterans holding a Disabled Veterans License Plate are entitled to complimentary entry to any state park or recreational area.
Colorado resident disabled veterans can obtain reduced admission to all Colorado state parks by obtaining a Columbine Pass designed for residents with total and permanent disabilities.
Colorado State Veterans Cemetery
The Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, situated in Grand Junction, follows eligibility criteria similar to VA national cemeteries, with the addition of a residency stipulation for burial.
