Colorado
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and may not reflect recent changes. Always verify with the official source linked below. This is not legal, medical, or financial advice.
Filter by Disability Rating
Property Tax
1 benefitDisabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Veterans with 100% permanent and total service-connected disability receive an exemption of 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value on their primary residence.
Unremarried surviving spouse retains the exemption. Cannot be stacked with the Senior Homestead Exemption.
Income Tax
1 benefitMilitary Retirement Pay Exemption
Colorado fully exempts military retirement pay from state income tax as of 2024, after a phased implementation beginning in 2022.
Vehicle / Registration
2 benefitsDisabled Veteran License Plates
Veterans with service-connected disability receive free DV plates. Veterans rated 100% disabled are exempt from registration fees on two vehicles.
Military Specialty License Plates
Colorado offers specialty plates for veterans including Veteran, Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, POW, and branch-specific plates.
Education
3 benefitsDependents Tuition Assistance
Dependents of Colorado veterans who died or are permanently disabled from service-connected causes, or dependents of POW/MIA, receive tuition assistance at Colorado state-supported institutions.
Colorado National Guard Tuition Assistance
Active members of the Colorado Army or Air National Guard can receive up to 100% of tuition at Colorado public institutions.
In-State Tuition for Veterans
Veterans receive in-state tuition at Colorado public institutions regardless of residency status under state policy and federal Section 702.
Employment
3 benefitsState Veteran Hiring Preference
Colorado provides preference in state employment hiring for honorably discharged veterans and disabled veterans.
Workforce Center Veteran Services
Veterans receive priority of service at Colorado workforce centers with dedicated veteran employment representatives.
Professional License Reciprocity
Colorado recognizes military training toward professional licensing with expedited processing for veterans and military spouses.
Hunting & Fishing
1 benefitDisabled Veteran Free Hunting and Fishing License
Colorado resident veterans with 60%+ service-connected disability receive a free small game hunting and fishing license. Veterans rated 100% disabled receive a free combination license.
Healthcare
2 benefitsColorado State Veterans Nursing Homes
Colorado operates five state veterans nursing homes providing skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, and domiciliary services.
Locations: Fitzsimons (Aurora), Homelake (Monte Vista), Rifle, Walsenburg, and Florence (Bruce McCandless).
Colorado Veterans Resource Navigators
State-funded program connecting veterans with healthcare and other resources, available statewide.
Free Stuff & Parks
2 benefitsFree Centennial Annual Pass for State Parks
100% disabled veterans receive a free Centennial Annual Pass (normally ~$80) for entry to all Colorado state parks. All veterans get free entry on Veterans Day and select dates.
Free VETERAN Designation on Driver's License
Honorably discharged veterans can get VETERAN or DISABLED VETERAN printed on their Colorado driver's license or ID.
Other Benefits
4 benefitsDVA Free Claims Assistance
Free VA claims assistance through state and county veteran service officers.
Veterans Treatment Courts
Veterans treatment courts are available in many Colorado judicial districts including Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins.
Colorado State Veterans Cemetery
Free burial for eligible veterans at the state veterans cemetery in Homelake (Monte Vista).
Military Leave for State Employees
Colorado state employees receive 15 days of paid military leave per year.