Colorado Veteran and Active Duty Military Benefits

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 and much more.  These are offered at an all-inclusive rate or free for Disabled Veterans with a rating of 70% or more..

Colorado Veteran Financial Benefits

FREE Vehicle License Plates

Any one car or truck for life (you can trade any time for something new, but only one vehicle at a time).  Requires 50% or greater VA Disability rating.  Now you can finally get that Lamborghini!

STATE PARKS

Free admission to any state park or recreation area for those veterans with a Disabled Veterans License Plate.

Property Tax Exemption

There is a Property Tax Exemption for 50% of the first $200,000 of a home's value for 100% service-connected disabled veterans.

Income Tax On Active Duty Pay

Active duty military pay is tax-free for Colorado residents who are stationed outside the U.S. and spend at least 305 days outside the U.S. during the tax year. Accompanying spouse is also eligible as long as they spend at least 305 days outside the U.S.

Income Tax On Retired Military Pay

Military retirees ages 55 - 64 can exclude up to $20,000 retired military pay from their taxable income, those 65 and over can exclude up to $24,000.

Colorado State Veteran Employment Benefits

Colorado gives veterans’ preference in the form of extra points added to the 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 VA 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 school, depending on funding available.  State funding can be used in conjunction with Federal Tuition Assistance.  Deadline for Spring Semester is December 1, deadline for Fall Semester is July 1, summer deadline is May 1 (if funding is available).

Eligibility: Colorado National Guard member must serve 2 years for each year granted.

Colorado Veteran Recreation Benefits

Hunting & Fishing License for Disabled Veterans.  Free lifetime combination small-game hunting and fishing license for a resident veteran with a permanent service-connected disability of 60% or more or any resident patient at a VA hospital located within Colorado.  Hunting & 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 for Disabled Veterans.  Veterans with a Disabled Veterans License Plate receive free admission to any state park or recreation area.

Colorado National Veteran's Cemetery

The Pikes Peak National Cemetery is located at 10545 Drennan Road,
Colorado Springs. For more information, contact www.cem.va.gov or call 719-216-1025.