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Overall Rating: 78/100 · 332,000 veterans (7.2% of population)
Reviewed 2026. Programs and exemptions verified against Colorado veterans-affairs and tax-authority sources.
Benefit details verified January 2025. Tax exemptions, caps, and eligibility change and can vary by county — always confirm current figures with your county assessor and your Colorado Department of Veterans Affairs before you rely on them.
Partial age-based exemption
0.6% average effective rate
50% of first $200,000 of value
100% P&T or TDIU (TDIU added 2025): exempts 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value. Nothing below 100%.
Source ↗No veteran-specific exemptions
$40,000
VA Medical Center
1700 North Wheeling Street, Aurora, CO 80045
(303) 399-8020
Full medical center, 24/7 emergency, surgery
VA Medical Center
2121 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 242-0731
Primary care, mental health, surgery
Tuition coverage
Unlimited slots for dependents
4-year value: $40,000
Tuition coverage
Yellow Ribbon participating
Median Home
$488,000
1BR Rent
$1,300/mo
COL Index
102
Unemployment
3.4%
Major employers: Lockheed Martin (14K), Northrop Grumman, 5 military installations
Pros: #5 nationally for veterans, 250+ defense contractors, 3 VA clinics
Cons: High altitude (6,035 ft), rising housing costs
Median Home
$525,000
1BR Rent
$1,500/mo
COL Index
115
Unemployment
3.2%
Major employers: Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, UCHealth
Pros: Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, proximity to Denver jobs
Cons: Expensive, high altitude
Median Home
$610,000
1BR Rent
$1,700/mo
COL Index
120
Unemployment
3.1%
Major employers: Lockheed Martin, Arrow Electronics, Ball Aerospace, Amazon
Pros: Most diverse job market, highest salaries, world-class amenities
Cons: Most expensive ($610K median), traffic, high altitude (5,280 ft)
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Colorado awards 5 preference points to honorably discharged wartime veterans and 10 points to veterans with a service-connected disability who receive VA compensation or disability retirement, applied to state government job applications (not promotions). Eligible spouses/surviving spouses may also qualify.
Official source ↗Colorado residents who are Purple Heart recipients or have a VA service-connected disability rated 50% or higher can receive a free Lifetime Small Game Hunting and Fishing Combination License; holders are also exempt from buying an annual Habitat Stamp. Apply through Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Official source ↗Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers state park benefits including free park admission periods for veterans and military members; qualifying disabled residents may obtain reduced-cost park access passes. Contact CPW for current pass details.
Official source ↗Veterans with a 50%-or-greater service-connected disability may obtain Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates; one set is exempt from registration fees under C.R.S. 43-3-213, with a one-time $50 fee for any additional set. Apply at a county motor vehicle office with a VA benefits/qualification letter.
Official source ↗Colorado allows eligible applicants to add a 'VETERAN' indicator and/or a military branch identifier to a driver license or state ID card by presenting a DD-214 showing honorable discharge at a Driver License Office.
Official source ↗Colorado operates five state veterans homes: Fitzsimons (Aurora), Florence, Homelake (Monte Vista), Rifle, and Walsenburg. Admission is open to honorably discharged veterans, their spouse or surviving spouse, and Gold Star parents, subject to service-connected, disability level, and income criteria.
Official source ↗The surviving spouse of a qualifying disabled veteran who previously received Colorado's property tax exemption may continue it on their primary residence, exempting 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value; since 2023 this also extends to Gold Star spouses of service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-related cause. Applications are filed with the county assessor by July 1.
Official source ↗The spouse or surviving spouse of an honorably discharged veteran is eligible for admission to Colorado's state Veterans Community Living Centers, subject to program criteria.
Official source ↗Sourced from official state agencies; programs and eligibility change — confirm with your Colorado Department of Veterans Affairs before applying.