State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Colorado

Colorado offers property tax relief for qualifying veterans with disabilities and surviving spouses. Veterans can also receive military retirement income subtractions, education benefits, and recreation benefits.

Checked against official state sources on October 2, 2026.

Free help in Colorado

Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs

Advocates for Colorado veterans, family members, and survivors seeking military-service benefits.

Agency website (opens in a new tab)

Free help with VA claims

County Veterans Service Offices offer free assistance. Contact your county office for an appointment about claims and benefits.

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Not sure what applies to you?

Answer seven questions and the Benefits Finder builds a checklist of federal and state benefits, deadlines and free help.

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Property tax relief

Veteran with a disability property tax exemption

Who qualifies
Veterans with active U.S. armed forces service and separation under honorable conditions who have a qualifying VA 100% permanent service-connected disability or VA individual unemployability status. This entry covers veterans who own and occupy the home as their primary residence at the assessment date.
What you get
Exempts 50% of the first $200,000 of actual home value.
How to apply
File with the county assessor, including proof of qualifying disability status, by July 1 for the first claimed tax year. The timely deadline changes in 2027.

Official page (opens in a new tab) C.R.S. §§ 39-3-202, 39-3-203(1.5)(a), 39-3-205

Sources (1)

Surviving spouse of an exempt disabled veteran

Who qualifies
An unremarried surviving spouse of a qualifying disabled veteran who previously received the exemption. The property must be owner-occupied as the survivor's primary residence at the assessment date.
What you get
Exempts 50% of the first $200,000 of actual home value.
How to apply
File the survivor exemption application with the county assessor by July 1 under the 2026 deadline.

Official page (opens in a new tab) C.R.S. §§ 39-3-202(4), 39-3-203(1.5)(a.5), 39-3-205

Sources (1)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: Partly exempt

Military retirement income subtractions

Who qualifies
Retired U.S. armed forces members with military retirement income included in federal adjusted gross income. Age is measured at the close of the tax year.
What you get
For 2026, retirees under 55 may subtract up to $15,000. The general pension and annuity caps are $20,000 for ages 55 to 64 and $24,000 for age 65 or older. The older-age caps apply to combined eligible pension and annuity income, including military retirement.
How to apply
Subtract the eligible amount when calculating Colorado taxable income.

Official page (opens in a new tab) C.R.S. § 39-22-104(4)(f), (y)

Sources (1)

Education and tuition

Veteran in-state tuition classification

Who qualifies
This entry covers honorably discharged U.S. armed forces members who enroll in a Colorado state higher-education institution and meet Colorado domicile rules for any length of time.
What you get
In-state tuition classification.
How to apply
Enroll and establish eligibility under the institution's veteran tuition-classification policy.

Official page (opens in a new tab) C.R.S. § 23-7.4-203

Sources (1)

Colorado National Guard tuition waiver

Who qualifies
Colorado National Guard enlisted members or officers accepted at a designated Colorado institution, in good standing with the Guard, who complete FAFSA or CASFA. Members must remain in satisfactory academic standing and make progress in the program. DMVA also applies administrative eligibility checks.
What you get
Waives the tuition balance remaining after private, state, or federal financial assistance. Undergraduate limits are 65 credit hours at two-year institutions, 130 at four-year institutions, and 145 for a combination of both.
How to apply
Apply through DMVA's State Tuition Waiver page and complete FAFSA or CASFA.

Official page (opens in a new tab) C.R.S. § 23-7.4-302; HB 26-1386

Sources (1)

State jobs and hiring preference

State personnel veterans preference: general veteran branch

Who qualifies
Veterans separated under honorable conditions who served outside training during a declared or undeclared war or other armed hostilities against a foreign enemy, or served on active duty in a campaign or expedition with an authorized campaign badge. Candidates must meet the job's minimum requirements.
What you get
Five points added when comparative analysis uses numerical scores. Qualified preference applicants are added to the interview-eligible list when a nonnumerical method is used. The preference does not apply to promotions.
How to apply
Provide the Department of Defense or VA certificate documenting qualifying service.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Colorado Constitution, article XII, § 15

Sources (1)

Licenses, plates and parks

Lifetime small game hunting and fishing combination license

Who qualifies
Colorado residents who received a Purple Heart, or disabled veterans with active-duty service, separation under honorable conditions, and a qualifying VA service-connected disability rating of at least 50%.
What you get
A lifetime resident small game hunting and fishing combination license at no charge.
How to apply
Apply to Colorado Parks and Wildlife through the disabled-veteran program.

Official page (opens in a new tab) C.R.S. § 33-4-104(3)

Sources (1)

State park entry with disabled veteran or Purple Heart plates

Who qualifies
Colorado residents displaying Colorado disabled veteran or Purple Heart special plates on the vehicle. The veteran must be present.
What you get
Free entry to state parks and recreation areas for the veteran and vehicle passengers. Campgrounds are excluded.
How to apply
Display the qualifying plates when entering the park.

Official page (opens in a new tab) C.R.S. § 33-12-106(1)(a)

Sources (2)

Emergency financial help

We could not confirm this from an official source yet. Ask Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs or a free veterans service officer what applies to you.

State veterans homes

Changes on the way

Before you apply

This page summarizes state law and agency guidance as checked on October 2, 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Eligibility depends on your records, and laws change, so confirm the details on the official page linked with each benefit, or ask a free accredited representative. This page covers the main state programs. Your county veterans service officer can tell you about smaller or local benefits.

Federal VA benefits apply in every state. See the Veteran Resource Directory and the Benefits Finder.