The state of Colorado provides several veteran benefits. This page explains some of them.
Colorado State Veterans Community Living Centers
Colorado has five state veterans' homes. The homes are in Aurora, Florence, Homelake, Rifle, and Walsenburg.
Admission is open to honorably discharged veterans, spouses, widows and Gold Star parents. Each location offers 24-hour nursing care, meals, physician services, restorative therapy, transportation, diversified activities, an all-inclusive rate and more.
Colorado Veteran Financial Benefits
Property Tax Exemption
There is a property tax exemption for 50% of the first $200,000 of a home's value for 100% permanently and totally disabled service-connected veterans. If you are receiving 100% disability solely as a result of an individual unemployability rating, you do not qualify.
Income Tax on Active Duty Pay
Active-duty military 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 same requirements.
Income Tax on Retired Military Pay
Military retirees can exclude part of their retirement income from state taxes. The amount varies by age:
- Those under age 55 can exclude up to $15,000.
- Those ages 55-64 can exclude up to $20,000.
- Those age 65 and over can exclude up to $24,000.
Same rules apply for Survivor Benefit Plan payments.
Military Family Relief Fund
Colorado may provide grants for families of reservists/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.
Colorado State Veteran Employment Benefits
Colorado gives veterans preference in the form of extra points added to the passing grade of a state employment examination. Eligibility requirements are as follows:
Five-point preference for:
- honorably separated active-duty veterans who served during a time of war or in receipt of a campaign medal.
- the spouse of a veteran unable to work because of a service-connected disability.
- the widow/widower of a deceased veteran who was or would have been entitled to veterans’ preference.
Ten-point preference for:
- honorably separated veterans who are receiving U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability or pension.
Colorado National Guard Education Benefits
Any member of the Colorado National Guard is eligible for state tuition assistance, up to 100% tuition paid at any Colorado state-funded institution depending on funding availability. State funding can be used in conjunction with federal tuition assistance.
Deadlines throughout the year for each term.
Eligibility: A Colorado National Guard member must serve two years for each year granted.
Colorado Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting and Fishing License for Disabled Veterans
A free lifetime combination small-game hunting and fishing license is available for a resident veteran with a permanent service-connected disability of 60% or more or to any resident patient at a VA hospital located within Colorado.
Hunting and Fishing License for Active Duty
Non-residents of Colorado and their families can get hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate while stationed in the state.
Resident Fishing While Home on Leave
Colorado residents who are on active duty and permanently stationed outside of the state may fish without a license while in Colorado on temporary leave.
Free State Park Admission
All active-duty members and veterans are admitted free to Colorado state parks for the entire month of August and on Veterans Day. There is no residency requirement.
State Park Admission for Disabled Veterans
Veterans with a Disabled Veterans License Plate receive free admission to any state park or recreation area.
Colorado resident disabled veterans can get discounted admission to all Colorado state parks with a Columbine Pass for residents with total and permanent disabilities.
Colorado State Veterans Cemetery
The Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado is located in Grand Junction. Eligibility for burial in the cemetery is the same as for VA national cemeteries but includes a residency requirement.
Visit the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs website for more information about any of these programs.
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