Colorado Veterans: Healthcare Facilities, Education Benefits & Job Resources

Colorado serves approximately 332,000 veterans - about 7.2% of the state's adult population. With six active military installations and a thriving defense industry, Colorado offers solid healthcare access, strong education programs, and excellent employment opportunities. However, high altitude and cost of living present unique challenges.

This guide provides actual addresses, phone numbers, and actionable information for Colorado veterans.

Bottom Line Up Front

Healthcare: 2 VA medical centers (Aurora, Grand Junction), 1 major clinic (Colorado Springs), 15+ community-based clinics, and 4 state veterans homes

Education: CU Boulder Yellow Ribbon (unlimited for dependents), Colorado State Yellow Ribbon, strong GI Bill support across Colorado schools

Employment: State hiring preference, major defense contractors (Lockheed Martin 14,000+ employees, Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop Grumman), and veteran-focused job programs

Veteran Population Hotspots: El Paso County (Colorado Springs area - strong military community), Denver metro (largest numbers), Boulder County

Critical consideration: Altitude (5,000-7,000+ feet) can affect veterans with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions - discuss with your doctor before relocating.

VA Healthcare Facilities in Colorado

VA Medical Centers

1. Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (Aurora)

Address: 1700 North Wheeling Street, Aurora, CO 80045 Phone: (303) 399-8020 Main line: 1-888-336-8262 Emergency Care: 24/7 emergency department

Services:

• Primary care
• Mental health services
• Surgery (general, orthopedic, cardiology, neurosurgery)
• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Neurology
• Women's health
• Prosthetics
• Pharmacy
• Dialysis
• Audiology
• Optometry
• Dental (eligible veterans)

Specialty programs:

• PTSD treatment
• Substance abuse treatment
• Homeless veteran services
• Spinal cord injury care
• Polytrauma support
• Telehealth services
• Geriatrics and extended care
• Pulmonary medicine (important for altitude-related issues)

Parking: On-site parking available (fee applies)

Enrollment area: Serves veterans across eastern Colorado and parts of Wyoming, western Nebraska, and western Kansas

Facility notes: This is Colorado's flagship VA facility, opened in 2018 on the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center campus. State-of-the-art facility with comprehensive services.

Altitude: 5,430 feet - discuss with your provider if you have respiratory or cardiovascular conditions

2. Grand Junction VA Medical Center

Address: 2121 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501 Phone: (970) 242-0731 Main line: 1-866-206-6415

Services:

• Primary care
• Mental health services
• Surgery (limited)
• Cardiology
• Physical therapy
• Pharmacy
• Laboratory services
• Radiology and imaging
• Audiology
• Optometry

Specialty programs:

• PTSD treatment
• Pain management
• Telehealth (connects to Aurora for specialty care)
• Homeless veteran programs

Enrollment area: Serves western Colorado and eastern Utah, including the Western Slope region

Facility notes: Smaller facility than Aurora but provides comprehensive primary and mental health care. Complex cases may be referred to Aurora.

Altitude: 4,586 feet

3. Denver VA Medical Center (Older Facility)

Address: 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO 80220 Phone: (303) 399-8020

Status: This is the older facility, with most services now consolidated at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora. Some outpatient services still operate at this location.

VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs)

The VA operates 15+ community-based outpatient clinics throughout Colorado:

Eastern Colorado Healthcare System CBOCs

Alamosa VA Clinic Address: 622 Del Sol Drive, Alamosa, CO 81101 Phone: (719) 587-6800 Services: Primary care, mental health, telehealth

Burlington VA Clinic Address: 1177 Rose Avenue, Burlington, CO 80807 Phone: (719) 346-7200 Services: Primary care

Castle Rock VA Clinic Address: 3753 Dacoro Lane, Castle Rock, CO 80109 Phone: (303) 814-2920 Services: Primary care, mental health, telehealth

Fort Carson VA Clinic Address: 1650 Cochrane Circle, Suite 2805, Fort Carson, CO 80913 Phone: (719) 526-7081 Services: Primary care, mental health (serves active duty transitioning to VA)

Garden of the Gods VA Clinic (Colorado Springs) Address: 1365 Garden of the Gods Road, Suite 105, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Phone: (719) 685-5750 Services: Primary care, mental health

Golden VA Clinic Address: 1020 Johnson Road, Golden, CO 80401 Phone: (303) 914-2680 Services: Primary care, mental health, telehealth

La Junta VA Clinic Address: 1100 Carson Avenue, Suite 204, La Junta, CO 81050 Phone: (719) 383-5195 Services: Primary care

Lamar VA Clinic Address: 1401 South Main Street, Suite 2, Lamar, CO 81052 Phone: (719) 336-8199 Services: Primary care, mental health

Pueblo VA Clinic (PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom Clinic) Address: 1125 South Prairie Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81005 Phone: (719) 553-1080 Services: Primary care, mental health, telehealth

Space Center VA Clinic (Colorado Springs) Address: 565 Space Center Drive, Suite 130, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 Phone: (719) 313-2900 Services: Primary care, mental health

Union Boulevard VA Clinic (Colorado Springs) Address: 3920 North Union Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Phone: (719) 327-5660 Services: Primary care, mental health, pharmacy

Note: Colorado Springs has three separate VA clinics (Garden of the Gods, Space Center, Union Boulevard) due to large veteran population - 80,000+ veterans in the area.

Western Colorado Healthcare System CBOCs

Craig VA Clinic Phone: (970) 826-0110 Services: Primary care

Glenwood Springs VA Clinic Phone: (970) 945-6539 Services: Primary care, mental health

Montrose VA Clinic Phone: (970) 249-7791 Services: Primary care

Moab VA Clinic (Utah, serves Colorado) Services: Primary care

For complete addresses and hours: Visit va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care/locations or va.gov/western-colorado-health-care/locations

Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling)

Vet Centers provide counseling for combat veterans, military sexual trauma survivors, and bereaved family members.

Denver Vet Center Address: 7465 East 1st Avenue, Suite B, Denver, CO 80230 Phone: (303) 326-0645

Services: PTSD counseling, military sexual trauma counseling, bereavement counseling, employment counseling, substance abuse assessment

Colorado Springs Vet Center Address: 602 South Tejon Street, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 Phone: (719) 471-9992

Services: Combat veteran counseling, family counseling, PTSD treatment, readjustment counseling, military sexual trauma support

Fort Collins Vet Center Address: 1100 Poudre River Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524 Phone: (970) 221-5176

Services: Counseling services for northern Colorado veterans

Grand Junction Vet Center Address: 2472 Patterson Road, Unit 16, Grand Junction, CO 81505 Phone: (970) 245-4156

Services: Counseling services for western slope veterans

Wait Times and Quality Ratings

Rocky Mountain Regional VA (Aurora): State-of-the-art facility opened in 2018. Generally rated above average for most services. Wait times average 15-30 days for primary care appointments depending on urgency.

Grand Junction VA: Average ratings. Wait times average 10-25 days for primary care. Telehealth connections to Aurora for specialty care reduce need for travel.

Colorado Springs clinics: Three clinics serve high veteran population. Wait times vary but generally 15-30 days for routine appointments.

Best practice: Enroll in VA healthcare as soon as you separate from active duty, even if you don't plan to use it immediately. This locks in your eligibility and priority group.

Altitude Considerations for Veterans

Critical health concern: Colorado's altitude ranges from 3,300 feet (eastern plains) to 6,000-7,000+ feet (Denver, Colorado Springs, mountain towns).

Veterans at risk:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Cardiovascular disease
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Heart failure
• Sleep apnea
• Asthma

Research finding: Study of veterans at 2,500m (8,200 feet) showed oxygen levels decreased and pulmonary artery pressure increased 43%. Most tolerated altitude well, but 45% experienced mild acute mountain sickness.

VA support: The Rocky Mountain Regional VA has a specialized pulmonary medicine team that treats altitude-related complications.

Recommendation: If you have respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, consult your VA provider before moving to Colorado. Consider living at lower elevations (eastern plains, Grand Junction at 4,586 feet) rather than mountain towns.

How to Enroll in VA Healthcare

Online: va.gov/health-care/apply Phone: 1-877-222-VETS (8387) In person: Visit Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center or any CBOC with your DD-214

Documents needed:

• DD-214 (discharge paperwork)
• Social Security card
• Insurance information (if you have other coverage)

State Veterans Homes (Nursing Care)

Colorado operates four Veterans Community Living Centers providing skilled nursing care:

1. Veterans Community Living Center at Fitzsimons (Aurora)

Address: 1919 Quentin Street, Aurora, CO 80045 Phone: (303) 284-6000 Admissions: (303) 284-6005 Beds: 180

Services: Skilled nursing care, memory care (60-bed unit), short-term rehabilitation, hospice, adult day services

Location: Adjacent to Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center - exceptional access to VA healthcare

Opened: 2013 on former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center campus

Advantage: Direct connection to VA hospital for complex medical needs, state-of-the-art facility

2. Bruce McCandless Veterans Community Living Center at Florence

Address: 903 Moore Drive, Florence, CO 81226 Phone: (719) 784-6300 Admissions: (719) 784-6305 Beds: 76

Services: Skilled nursing care, memory care, long-term care

Location: Southern Colorado, near Pueblo and Colorado Springs

Named after: Navy SEAL Bruce McCandless Sr. and astronaut Bruce McCandless II (father and son)

3. Veterans Community Living Center at Homelake

Address: 3749 Sherman Avenue, Monte Vista, CO 81144 Phone: (719) 852-5118 Admissions: (719) 852-5118 ext. 107 Beds: 108

Services: Skilled nursing care, memory care, respite care

Location: San Luis Valley, southern Colorado

Altitude: 7,600 feet - highest state veterans home in Colorado (not ideal for veterans with respiratory issues)

4. Veterans Community Living Center at Rifle

Address: 851 Railroad Avenue, Rifle, CO 81650 Phone: (970) 625-0870 Admissions: (970) 625-0870 Beds: 60

Services: Skilled nursing care, memory care

Location: Western Slope, between Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs

Eligibility: Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and received other than dishonorable discharge. Some homes also accept spouses.

Cost: Sliding scale based on income and VA benefits. VA Aid and Attendance benefits can help cover costs (up to $2,295/month for veterans, $2,431/month with spouse).

How to apply: Contact the facility directly or visit cdhs.colorado.gov/VCLCs

Education Benefits for Colorado Veterans

Colorado GI Dependent Scholarship

Important: Colorado does NOT currently have a state-funded GI dependent scholarship program like Alabama or Texas. Dependents must rely on federal benefits (Post-9/11 GI Bill transfer, Fry Scholarship, DEA).

Post-9/11 GI Bill - Yellow Ribbon Schools

Several Colorado schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, covering out-of-state tuition for qualifying veterans:

University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder)

Yellow Ribbon: Unlimited slots for dependents; up to $5,000 per semester ($10,000/year) Benefit: CU Boulder pays $2,500/semester, VA matches for total $5,000/semester Veteran enrollment: 1,000+ student veterans BAH rate: ~$2,100/month (Boulder - one of highest in Colorado)

Important limitation: Yellow Ribbon covers in-state tuition plus $10K/year, but out-of-state students still owe remaining tuition out-of-pocket

Campuses:

• Boulder (main campus)
• Denver (Anschutz Medical Campus)
• Colorado Springs (UCCS)

Contact: Veteran and Military Affairs Phone: (303) 492-7322 Email: veterans@colorado.edu Website: colorado.edu/veterans

Veteran support: CU Boulder's Office of Veteran and Military Affairs provides comprehensive support for student veterans

In-state tuition: Veterans using GI Bill benefits qualify for in-state tuition under federal law (Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act)

Colorado State University (Fort Collins)

Yellow Ribbon: Participating school Benefit: CSU awarded $457,775 in Yellow Ribbon benefits last year to 1,606 GI Bill students BAH rate: ~$1,650/month Veteran enrollment: 1,606 GI Bill students (includes all chapters)

Ranking: Military Times lists CSU at #5 among public colleges and universities on its national 2019 "Best for Vets" ranking

Contact: Veterans Education Benefits Office Phone: (970) 491-6340 Email: gi_bill@colostate.edu Website: online.colostate.edu/military

In-state tuition: Honorably discharged veterans qualify for in-state tuition if enrolling within 3 years of discharge (VACAA)

University of Denver (DU)

Yellow Ribbon: Unlimited slots for both undergraduate and graduate students Benefit: Award amounts vary by division/school Veteran enrollment: ~300 military and veteran students, plus 100+ military spouses/dependents

Veteran programs:

• Veterans' Peer to Peer Network
• Right Foot Forward transition program (mentor matching)
• Credit for military training

Contact: Office of Veterans Services Phone: (303) 871-2000 Website: du.edu/veterans

University of Colorado Denver

Yellow Ribbon: Participating Benefit: Varies by program Location: Downtown Denver campus, Anschutz Medical Campus (Aurora)

Colorado School of Mines

Yellow Ribbon: Does NOT participate Veteran enrollment: 234 GI Bill students (~3.5% of students) Note: Exceptional engineering school, but no Yellow Ribbon - only in-state tuition rates

Contact: Veterans Services Phone: (303) 273-3000 Website: mines.edu/veterans

In-State Tuition for Veterans

Veterans using GI Bill benefits qualify for in-state tuition at Colorado public schools under the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA), regardless of residency status.

Eligibility:

• Using Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, or other VA education benefits
• Living in Colorado while attending school
• Enrolling within 3 years of discharge (or continuously enrolled)

This removes a major barrier for veterans relocating to Colorado for school.

Top GI Bill Schools in Colorado (by Veteran Enrollment)

1. Colorado State University (Fort Collins) - 1,606 GI Bill students
2. University of Colorado Boulder - 1,000+ student veterans
3. Colorado Community College System - 2,000+ across 13 campuses
4. University of Colorado Denver - 800+
5. University of Denver - 400+ (300 veterans, 100+ dependents)
6. Metropolitan State University of Denver - 600+
7. Colorado School of Mines - 234
8. Pikes Peak Community College (Colorado Springs) - 500+
9. Regis University - 200+
10. University of Colorado Colorado Springs - 400+

Military Tuition Assistance

Active-duty service members can use Military Tuition Assistance (TA) at all Colorado public universities and many private institutions. Most schools have dedicated military liaison officers to process TA.

Colorado Springs area schools are especially experienced with TA due to proximity to five military installations.

Employment Resources for Colorado Veterans

State Hiring Preference

Colorado law gives hiring preference to qualified veterans for state government jobs.

Who qualifies:

• Honorably discharged veterans
• National Guard members with honorable service
• Spouses of 100% disabled veterans

How it works: Veterans meeting minimum qualifications receive preference points in the hiring process.

Where to apply: colorado.gov/careers

Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs - Employment Resources

Main office: 1355 South Colorado Boulevard, Building C, Suite 113, Denver, CO 80222 Phone: (303) 284-6077 Website: vets.colorado.gov

Services:

• Employment counseling
• Resume writing assistance
• Job search support
• Employer connections
• Small business ownership resources
• Veteran-owned business certification

County Veteran Service Officers: Available in all 64 Colorado counties to help with employment, benefits, and transition support

Major Employers Hiring Veterans

Defense Contractors (Colorado Springs & Denver Metro)

Lockheed Martin Primary locations: Denver, Boulder, Littleton, Colorado Springs Employees in Colorado: 14,000+ (largest defense employer) Programs: Deep-space exploration, satellite technology, missile defense, cybersecurity, AI-driven autonomy Veteran programs: Veterans comprise 20%+ of workforce Typical roles: Systems engineering, software development, program management, cybersecurity Website: lockheedmartin.com/careers

Raytheon Technologies (RTX) Primary location: Aurora, Colorado Springs Programs: Missile systems, defense electronics, cybersecurity Veteran programs: Active veteran recruiting Typical roles: Systems engineering, software development, manufacturing Website: rtx.com/careers

Boeing Primary location: Aurora Programs: Space systems, defense systems Veteran programs: Boeing employs 20,000+ veterans nationwide Typical roles: Aerospace engineering, program management Website: jobs.boeing.com

Northrop Grumman Primary locations: Aurora, Colorado Springs Programs: Defense electronics, space systems, cybersecurity Typical roles: Engineering, IT, program management

L3Harris Technologies Location: Colorado Springs Programs: Communications systems, defense electronics

Leidos Location: Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver Programs: IT services, engineering, cybersecurity support Typical roles: IT, cybersecurity, systems engineering

General Dynamics Location: Colorado Springs Typical roles: IT, cybersecurity, mission support

Colorado Springs - Defense Industry Hub

Colorado Springs has 250+ aerospace and defense companies with $7 billion annual economic impact.

Why Colorado Springs is ideal for veterans:

• 80,000 veterans in the area
• 111,000 active duty service members
• 400+ military separations per month (constant pipeline of cleared talent)
• Five military installations (Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, Air Force Academy)

Colorado Springs Chamber Veteran Programs:

• Hire A Vet program
• Cleared talent recruitment
• Military spouse employment support

Other Major Veteran-Friendly Employers

Ball Aerospace Location: Boulder Veteran programs: Active recruiting Typical roles: Aerospace engineering, satellite systems Employees: 4,000+

Arrow Electronics Location: Centennial (Denver metro) Typical roles: Supply chain, IT, sales

Charles Schwab Location: Lone Tree (Denver metro) Veteran programs: Dedicated military recruiting Typical roles: Financial services, customer service, IT Employees: 3,000+ in Colorado

DISH Network Location: Englewood (Denver metro) Typical roles: Customer service, IT, engineering

Amazon Locations: Multiple fulfillment centers (Denver, Colorado Springs, Thornton) Veteran programs: Amazon Warriors (veteran employee group) Typical roles: Operations, logistics, management, IT

Comcast Location: Denver metro Typical roles: Customer service, IT, engineering

Xcel Energy Location: Denver Typical roles: Utilities, engineering, operations

UCHealth / Kaiser Permanente / Centura Health Locations: Statewide Typical roles: Nursing, medical technicians, healthcare administration Note: Military medical training highly valued

Technology Companies

Google Location: Boulder Typical roles: Software engineering, IT

Twitter Location: Boulder Typical roles: Software engineering, data science

Oracle Location: Broomfield Typical roles: Software development, sales, support

IBM Location: Boulder Typical roles: IT, consulting, software development

Colorado Veteran Employment Programs

Hire A Vet Colorado

• Led by Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
• Workshops, training, grant programs
• Career counseling for veterans
• Website: colorado.gov/cdle/veteran-services

Colorado Workforce Centers

• Veterans' Representatives in each center
• Career assistance for veterans
• Job matching services
• Find locations: connectingcolorado.com

Small Business Resources

Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

• Free consulting for veteran entrepreneurs
• Business planning assistance
• Funding guidance

Veteran Business Outreach Centers

• Mentorship for veteran-owned businesses
• Government contracting assistance

Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Certification

• Colorado recognizes service-disabled veteran-owned businesses
• Contracting preferences for state projects

Support Services

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

VSOs provide free assistance with VA claims, appeals, and benefits navigation.

Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs Headquarters: 1355 South Colorado Boulevard, Building C, Suite 113, Denver, CO 80222 Phone: (303) 284-6077 Website: vets.colorado.gov

Services: VA claims assistance, benefits counseling, state benefits information, education support

County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs): Colorado has CVSOs in all 64 counties providing free claims assistance and benefits counseling. Find your local CVSO at vets.colorado.gov.

Other VSOs in Colorado:

• American Legion - 100+ posts throughout Colorado
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) - 90+ posts statewide
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV) - Chapters in major cities
• Vietnam Veterans of America - Multiple chapters
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) - Active in Denver area

Homeless Veteran Programs

VA Homeless Programs Hotline: 1-877-424-3838

HUD-VASH: Housing vouchers paired with VA case management, available through Rocky Mountain Regional VA and Grand Junction VA

Grant and Per Diem Program: Transitional housing programs in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction

Stand Down Events: Annual events in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Grand Junction providing services, clothing, medical care, and resources

Denver VA Homeless Programs: (303) 399-8020 Grand Junction VA Homeless Programs: (970) 242-0731

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless - Veteran Services Address: 2111 Champa Street, Denver, CO 80205 Phone: (303) 293-2217 Services: Housing assistance, case management, employment support

Mental Health Resources

Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then press 1 (24/7) Text: 838255 Online chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Mental Health: (303) 399-8020 Grand Junction VA Mental Health: (970) 242-0731

Vet Centers (listed earlier) provide free confidential counseling for:

• PTSD
• Depression
• Military sexual trauma
• Readjustment issues
• Substance abuse
• Bereavement counseling

Medical Cannabis and Colorado Veterans

Federal VA policy: VA clinicians cannot prescribe or recommend medical marijuana (federal law). However, veterans can participate in Colorado's medical marijuana program without losing VA benefits.

What VA providers CAN do:

• Discuss marijuana use as part of care planning
• Not penalize veterans who use medical marijuana
• Continue prescribing medications (including opioids) to medical marijuana users

What VA providers CANNOT do:

• Complete paperwork for state medical marijuana programs
• Recommend medical marijuana
• Prescribe medical marijuana
• Pay for medical marijuana

Colorado medical marijuana card:

• Application: $29.50 processing fee + $1 transaction fee
• Veterans can apply with any qualifying condition
• Research shows cannabis may help with PTSD symptoms (2x higher remission rates in Colorado study)
• Cannabis use associated with reduced opioid deaths in Colorado

Bottom line: Colorado's marijuana legalization gives veterans legal access to cannabis, but VA cannot formally participate. Discuss with VA provider if using cannabis - they won't penalize you, but need to know for comprehensive care.

Legal Assistance

Colorado Attorney General's Office - Veterans Services Free legal assistance for veterans with discharge upgrades, benefits appeals

Colorado Legal Services Free civil legal help for low-income veterans Phone: 1-866-878-3787

Veterans Treatment Courts Specialized courts for veterans facing criminal charges, focusing on treatment and rehabilitation rather than incarceration. Available in multiple Colorado jurisdictions.

County and Regional Veteran Resources

El Paso County (Colorado Springs)

• Veteran population: 80,000+ veterans (highest concentration in Colorado)
• VA Clinics: 3 separate clinics (Garden of the Gods, Space Center, Union Boulevard)
• Military installations: Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain, Air Force Academy
• Major employers: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, General Dynamics, 250+ defense contractors

County Veteran Services Phone: (719) 520-7682 Website: elpasoco.com/veterans

Denver Metro Area (Denver, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Adams, Douglas counties)

• Veteran population: 100,000+ across metro area (largest total numbers)
• VA Medical Center: Rocky Mountain Regional VA (Aurora)
• State Veterans Home: Fitzsimons VCLC (Aurora)
• Major employers: Lockheed Martin (14,000), Boeing, Raytheon, Leidos, Charles Schwab, Amazon

Denver Veterans Services Phone: (720) 913-8483

Arapahoe County Veterans Services Phone: (303) 795-4530

Jefferson County Veterans Services Phone: (303) 271-8202

Larimer County (Fort Collins)

• Veteran population: 20,000+
• VA Clinic: Fort Collins Vet Center
• Major institution: Colorado State University (1,606 GI Bill students)

County Veteran Services Phone: (970) 498-5730

Boulder County

• Major employers: Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, Google, IBM
• Major institution: University of Colorado Boulder

County Veteran Services Phone: (303) 441-3900

Mesa County (Grand Junction)

• VA Medical Center: Grand Junction VA
• Serves: Western Slope Colorado

County Veteran Services Phone: (970) 244-1826

Key Takeaways

1. Enroll in VA healthcare immediately - Two medical centers plus 15+ clinics provide good access across Colorado
2. Altitude matters - If you have respiratory or cardiovascular issues, consult your doctor before moving to Colorado (5,000-7,000+ feet)
3. CU Boulder and University of Denver offer unlimited Yellow Ribbon - Best options for dependents and out-of-state students
4. Colorado Springs is veteran employment hub - 250+ defense contractors, 14,000+ Lockheed Martin employees
5. Medical cannabis is legal in Colorado - VA won't prescribe but won't penalize use
6. Connect with County Veteran Service Officer - Free claims assistance in all 64 counties

Colorado's veteran support infrastructure is strong, particularly in Colorado Springs and Denver metro areas. The state genuinely supports its veteran population with solid healthcare access, excellent education programs (especially for engineering/aerospace), and outstanding defense contractor employment opportunities.

The high cost of living (especially Denver metro housing) and altitude concerns are real challenges, but for veterans who love mountains, outdoor recreation, and four-season climate, Colorado delivers.

Additional Resources

• Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs: (303) 284-6077 | vets.colorado.gov
• VA Eastern Colorado (Aurora): (303) 399-8020 | va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care
• VA Western Colorado (Grand Junction): (970) 242-0731 | va.gov/western-colorado-health-care
• Colorado Workforce Services: connectingcolorado.com
• GI Bill School Search: benefits.va.gov/gibill/comparison
• Colorado Veterans Benefits Guide: vets.colorado.gov

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Information current as of January 2025. Contact facilities directly to verify hours, services, and eligibility requirements.