Colorado Veterans Benefits 2026: Property Tax, Tuition Assistance & State Programs

Colorado Veterans Benefits at a Glance

Colorado's veteran community — over 390,000 strong — benefits from one of the highest concentrations of military infrastructure in the western United States. Fort Carson (home of the 4th Infantry Division), Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, Buckley Space Force Base, and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) create a strong veteran services ecosystem centered in the Colorado Springs–Denver corridor.

Property Tax Exemption (C.R.S. § 39-3-203) — 50% Off First $200K

Colorado's property tax exemption for disabled veterans is established under C.R.S. § 39-3-203. It provides a 50% exemption on the first $200,000 of actual value of a primary residence for veterans with a 100% Permanent and Total service-connected disability rating. This is a significant benefit — though it works differently from states that offer a full property tax exemption.

How the Colorado Exemption Works

Colorado's property tax system uses assessed value (a percentage of actual value) as the basis for calculating taxes. Here's how the § 39-3-203 exemption flows through:

1. Actual value determination: Your county assessor determines your home's actual (market) value. Let's say $400,000.
2. Exemption applied: 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value = $100,000 is exempted from the tax base. So the taxable actual value drops from $400,000 to $300,000.
3. Assessed value calculation: Colorado's residential assessment ratio is approximately 6.765% of actual value. On $300,000: $300,000 × 6.765% = $20,295 assessed value. Without the exemption: $400,000 × 6.765% = $27,060 assessed value.
4. Mill levy applied: Your county/city/district mill levy is applied to the assessed value. At an example combined mill rate of 90 mills (0.09): $20,295 × 0.09 = $1,827 annual tax vs. $27,060 × 0.09 = $2,435 without exemption. Annual savings: ~$608.

Savings vary significantly by county and mill levy. High-value markets (Denver metro, Vail corridor, Boulder) tend to have higher overall tax burdens despite lower residential assessment ratios in some cases. Colorado's property tax system is complex — contact your county assessor for a specific calculation based on your home's value and your county's mill levy.

Who Qualifies Under C.R.S. § 39-3-203?

• Colorado resident veteran (or surviving spouse — see below)
• 100% Permanent and Total service-connected disability rating from the VA (100% schedular P&T, or 100% TDIU with P&T designation)
• Property must be the veteran's primary residence
• Property must be owned by the veteran (or in a trust for the veteran's benefit under certain conditions)

Surviving Spouse Continuation

The surviving spouse of a veteran who qualified for the § 39-3-203 exemption may continue to receive the exemption as long as they: (1) have not remarried, and (2) continue to occupy the property as their primary residence. The surviving spouse must notify the county assessor of the veteran's death and apply to continue the exemption.

How to Apply — Colorado Property Tax Exemption

1. Obtain your VA disability rating letter confirming 100% Permanent and Total service-connected disability status. Both 100% schedular and TDIU with P&T qualify.
2. Complete Colorado Exempt Property Application (Form DPT-AP-017), available from your county assessor's office or the Colorado Division of Property Taxation (dola.colorado.gov/dpt).
3. Submit the completed application and VA rating documentation to your county assessor's office by July 15 of the tax year in which you want the exemption to apply.
4. The exemption renews automatically as long as you continue to qualify. Notify your county assessor if your rating changes or you move to a new primary residence.

ColVETS Education Benefit & Tuition Assistance (C.R.S. § 23-5-128)

Colorado's primary state education benefit for veterans and their families is the Colorado Veteran Survivor and Dependent Education (ColVETS) program, established under C.R.S. § 23-5-128. This program provides tuition waivers at Colorado public institutions of higher education for qualifying dependents of veterans.

ColVETS: Who Qualifies?

ColVETS provides tuition waivers for dependents — not the veterans themselves — in the following circumstances:

• Children and spouses of veterans killed in action (KIA) or who died from a service-connected condition
• Children and spouses of veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability
• Children and spouses of veterans listed as Missing in Action (MIA) or Prisoner of War (POW)
• Dependents must be Colorado residents and meet the institution's admission requirements
• The veteran must have served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces

ColVETS: What It Covers

The ColVETS waiver covers in-state tuition at any Colorado public institution of higher education, including:

• University of Colorado system (Boulder, Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado Springs)
• Colorado State University system (Fort Collins, Pueblo)
• Colorado School of Mines (Golden)
• Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Colorado Community College System (13 community colleges statewide)
• University of Northern Colorado (Greeley)

The waiver covers tuition only — not fees, room, board, or textbooks. Dependents should apply to the veterans services office at their institution with documentation of the veteran's status and the qualifying condition (KIA/100% P&T/MIA-POW).

Veterans' Own Education: Post-9/11 GI Bill at In-State Rates

Veterans themselves don't qualify for the ColVETS waiver — that's exclusively for dependents. But veterans attending Colorado public institutions on the Post-9/11 GI Bill pay in-state tuition rates under the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (now codified as 38 USC § 3679), regardless of how long they've been Colorado residents. This is a federal right, not a state program — but it's important for recently-relocated Colorado veterans to know they don't need to establish years of residency to access in-state rates.

Additionally, Colorado's Uniformed Service Members Tuition Assistance Program (ColSMA) provides supplemental tuition assistance for active-duty service members and National Guard members at Colorado public institutions — see the National Guard section below.

Military Retirement Pay: Colorado Tax Treatment

Colorado has a flat income tax rate of 4.4% (2026) and provides a partial military retirement pay deduction based on age. This age-tiered approach means the tax benefit grows significantly as you get older:

Important note: Colorado's pension/annuity deduction for those 65+ may allow a larger deduction depending on total retirement income. Consult a Colorado tax professional to determine the optimal deduction strategy for your specific income mix of military retirement, VA compensation, and other sources.

Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (CDMVA)

The Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (CDMVA) is the state agency responsible for administering Colorado veterans benefits, operating the Colorado State Veterans Home, and providing free VA claims assistance through the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs (DVA).

CDMVA Contact Information

• Main office: 6848 S. Revere Pkwy, Centennial, CO 80112
• Phone: (303) 284-6077
• Website: dmva.colorado.gov
• DVA veterans services: dva.colorado.gov

Free VA Claims Assistance Through County Veterans Service Officers

CDMVA's County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) provide free VA claims assistance to Colorado veterans. CVSOs are VA-accredited and help with:

• Filing initial VA disability claims and gathering service records and medical evidence
• Filing Supplemental Claims, Higher-Level Reviews, and BVA appeals after denials
• Obtaining education, pension, health care, and home loan benefits
• DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) for surviving spouses
• Navigating VA healthcare enrollment and priority groups

Colorado's CVSOs are available in most counties including: El Paso County (Colorado Springs), Denver County, Jefferson County, Arapahoe County, Adams County, Larimer County (Fort Collins), Boulder County, Weld County, Pueblo County, and others. Contact CDMVA at (303) 284-6077 for your nearest CVSO.

Colorado State Veterans Home — Florence

Colorado's primary state veterans home is the Colorado State Veterans Home at Florence, located in Florence, Colorado (Fremont County), approximately 45 miles southwest of Colorado Springs. Operated by CDMVA, it provides skilled nursing care, long-term care, and domiciliary (residential) care for eligible Colorado veterans.

Colorado also partners with several community-based veterans housing and care programs. Contact CDMVA for a complete list of state-partnered veterans care resources in your region, including domiciliary programs for veterans experiencing housing instability.

Employment Preference (C.R.S. § 24-50-128)

Colorado law provides meaningful advantages to veterans competing for state government employment. Under C.R.S. § 24-50-128, Colorado's veterans' preference system awards additional points on civil service examinations:

Additional Colorado Employment Protections

• USERRA rights: Colorado enforces federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protections for returning veterans and Guard/Reserve members. Contact the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) at cdle.state.co.us with USERRA complaints.
• National Guard protection: Colorado additionally prohibits employment discrimination against employees who are members of the Colorado National Guard (C.R.S. § 28-3-609).
• Surviving spouse preference: Surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from service-connected causes may qualify for employment preference — consult CDMVA for specific eligibility conditions.

Colorado National Guard Education Benefits

Members of the Colorado Army National Guard and Colorado Air National Guard have access to several education assistance programs that can significantly offset the cost of college education:

Colorado Tuition Assistance Program for National Guard Members

Colorado National Guard members may access federal National Guard Tuition Assistance (TA) — up to $4,500 per fiscal year for active Guard members pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. This federal TA can be combined with state-level programs.

Colorado State Tuition Assistance Supplement

CDMVA coordinates additional state-level support for Colorado National Guard members attending Colorado public institutions. Contact your unit's education officer or CDMVA's education programs office at dmva.colorado.gov for current availability and application procedures — program funding and availability fluctuate year to year.

Montgomery GI Bill — Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606)

Colorado National Guard members who joined under a 6-year commitment may qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill — Selected Reserve, which provides a monthly education stipend for each month of full-time enrollment. As of 2026, this is approximately $400–$500/month for full-time enrollment. Contact your unit's education officer for eligibility and enrollment.

Hunting & Fishing License Discounts

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) provides significant license discounts to disabled veterans:

Colorado's hunting and fishing benefits are particularly valuable given the state's exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities — world-class elk hunting, trout fishing in renowned rivers, and access to some of the most spectacular public land in the country. Apply at any Colorado Parks and Wildlife office with your VA award letter and Colorado driver's license or state ID. Contact CPW at (303) 297-1192 or cpw.state.co.us.

Additional Colorado Veterans Benefits

Colorado Veterans Assistance Grant Program

The Colorado Veterans Assistance Grant Program provides emergency financial assistance to Colorado veterans facing financial hardship — covering needs like rent, utilities, food, and medical expenses. Administered through CDMVA and partnering county veterans service offices. Contact CDMVA at (303) 284-6077 to inquire about current grant availability and application procedures.

Colorado Veterans Cemetery

Colorado operates the Colorado State Veterans Cemetery in Homelake (Rio Grande County) — providing no-cost burial for eligible veterans and their immediate family members. A second facility, the Fort Logan National Cemetery (federal), serves the Denver metro area. Contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 or visit cem.va.gov for federal cemetery scheduling; contact CDMVA for the Homelake state cemetery.

Vehicle Registration Fee Exemption

Colorado veterans with a 100% service-connected disability may qualify for reduced vehicle registration fees on one vehicle. Contact the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at mycolorado.gov/dmv with your VA disability rating letter for current exemption details and documentation requirements.

Colorado Veterans' Medallion Program

Colorado's Veterans' Medallion program provides eligible veterans with a state-recognized Veterans ID card, which may provide access to business discounts and state programs. Contact CDMVA for the current enrollment process.

How to Maximize Your Colorado Veterans Benefits

For 100% P&T Disabled Veterans in Colorado

1. Apply for the § 39-3-203 property tax exemption immediately. File with your county assessor by July 15. The savings aren't as large as in some states, but they're real and require only a one-time application to qualify.
2. Register with your CDMVA county veterans service officer for free claims assistance. If you're not already at 100% P&T, a CVSO can review your conditions and identify opportunities for a higher combined rating through a Supplemental Claim or HLR.
3. Get your free CPW hunting/fishing license if you have 60%+ service-connected disability — it requires only a one-time application with your VA documentation.
4. If 100% P&T, apply for the free annual state parks pass through CPW — gives you access to all Colorado state parks at no cost.
5. If you have dependents attending or planning to attend Colorado public colleges, explore ColVETS eligibility — this is a substantial tuition benefit for children and spouses.

For Military Retirees in Colorado

1. Take the military retirement pay deduction on your Colorado state return — $15,000–$24,000+ depending on your age. Ensure your tax preparer is aware of this deduction.
2. Consider the CRSC vs. CRDP election if you're eligible for concurrent receipt — Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) has more favorable tax treatment for many veterans. Consult a military-experienced tax professional.
3. If service-connected disabled, maximize your VA rating — VA disability compensation is fully tax-exempt while military retirement is only partially exempt. A higher VA rating shifts more income into the tax-exempt column.

Frequently Asked Questions