An estimated 332,717 veterans live in Colorado, making up 7.2% of the state’s population or the 22nd-highest of the 56 U.S. states, territories and District of Columbia.
Colorado Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
Retirees may exclude part of their retirement income from state taxes. The amount varies by age: Those under age 55 can exclude up to $15,000; ages 55-64 can exclude up to $20,000; and ages 65 and over can exclude up to $24,000. The same rules apply for Survivor Benefit Plan payments.
Active-Duty Income Tax
Active-duty pay is tax free if the service member is stationed and spent at least 305 days outside the continental United States. Spouses can be exempt, too, if they meet the same requirements.
Colorado Veteran Property Taxes
Certain disabled veterans, their surviving spouses and Gold Star spouses receive 50% off the first $200,000 of actual value of their primary residence exempt from taxation.
Colorado Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
State National Guard members serve two years for each year of tuition assistance benefits granted. Benefits include reduced or free tuition at designated state institutions. A state tuition waiver replaces the tuition assistance program on July 1, 2025.
Military Dependent Education
Children of veterans who were POW, MIA or Guard members who died or were permanently disabled while on active state duty, who don't otherwise qualify for federal education benefits, receive a tuition waiver to state schools.
Colorado Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
Disabled veterans receive 10 preference points for state employment and for city and county governments with a "merit system" in place for disabled veterans receiving federal VA disability or pension payments; and nondisabled veterans receive 5 points, along with the spouses of veterans unable to work because of a service-connected disability and the widows/widowers of deceased veterans who were or would have been entitled to veterans’ preference.
Military Spouse Employment
Spouses who relocate to the state due to military orders can practice certain professions for up to 12 months if they have an active license in good standing from another state.
Colorado Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
Colorado’s five state veterans homes are in Aurora, Florence, Homelake, Rifle and Walsenburg, with 24-hour nursing, physician services, restorative therapy, transportation and activities. Admission open to spouses, widows and Gold Star parents.
Homeless Veterans
VA's Valor Point Domiciliary in Lakewood has 40 beds.
Adaptive Housing
No benefits.
Colorado Veteran Financial Assistance
The Military Family Relief Fund may provide grants for families of reserve/Guard members called to active duty or to families of active-duty members serving in a combat zone. These grants are intended to help families defray the costs of food, housing, utilities, medical services, and other expenses.
Veterans may receive one $250 bonus per wartime deployment.
Colorado Veteran Legal Assistance
No state-funded legal services.
Colorado Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Military members who are a resident patient at a military or Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility in the state, or any permanently and totally disabled veteran, receive free fishing licenses.
Parks/Camping
Veterans with a state disabled veterans license plate receive free admission to state parks and recreation areas; those rated 50% service-connected disabled receive campground access and discounts; and those more than 60% disabled receive free small-game hunting.
Active-duty members and veterans are admitted free to Colorado state parks for the month of August and on Veterans Day; no residency requirement.
Colorado Veteran Transportation Benefits
No state-funded transportation benefits. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) offers van rides to VA medical centers in many states and may be available in the states without a state-funded transportation benefit.
Colorado Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
Colorado’s two state veterans cemeteries are Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado in Grand Junction and the Colorado State Veterans Center at Homelake Cemetery.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
Stay on Top of Your Veteran Benefits
Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by subscribing to Military.com, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with all latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox.
