VETERANS

Colorado has a long tradition of military service.  As the son and grandson of veterans I appreciate the sacrifices that men and women in uniform, and their families, make for our country.  Our state laws can compensate veterans and their families for sacrifices in the line of duty and can help veterans re-integrate into civilian life once they have concluded their service.

Below are bills I’ve sponsored and supported to honor the contributions of our service members.

Remembering World War II Veterans (HJR23-1012) - I again sponsored this resolution as part of our annual Military Appreciation Day. This resolution specifically acknowledges the Colorado Freedom Memorial, which is located in our district. STATUS – passed by both House and Senate.

Remembering World War II Veterans (HJR22-1009) – As the grandson of World War II veterans, I sponsored this resolution to honor the contributions of Colorado veterans in the war, particularly the 10th Mountain Division and the Colorado National Guard’s 157th Infantry Regiment that liberated Dachau. This resolution also recognizes the Colorado Freedom Memorial in Aurora, which has compiled the names of all Colordans killed in action since the Spanish American War. STATUS – passed by both House and Senate.

75th Anniversary of End of World War II Resolution (SJR20-012) – I co-sponsored this resolution with other legislators representing Aurora and Colorado Springs – our foremost military communities – to honor Colorado’s contributions to our victory in the second World War.  This resolution also acknowledges the Colorado Freedom Memorial, located in House District 36 in North Aurora, which has painstakingly collected the names of all Colorado service members who gave their lives in World War II and other conflicts since statehood.  STATUS – passed House & Senate.

Recognition of Vietnam Veterans (HJR19-1009) – I sponsored this bipartisan resolution to honor those who were injured or gave their lives in the Vietnam conflict. This resolution coincides with the 50th anniversary of the peak period of fighting in 1968-69. STATUS: passed by both house and senate. I also supported measures honoring the contribution of African American veterans (HJR19-1008 – passed by both house and senate) and women veterans. (SB19-205 – signed into law).

Veterans Service Organizations (HB17-1056) – Thousands of low-level offenders are sentenced to perform community service each year in Colorado, often in conjunction with probation. However, many Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) were excluded from being able to supervise individuals performing community service.  I sponsored this bill to solve this problem by allowing 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(19) VSOs to supervise community service just like other non-profits, so that they can benefit from this kind of work.  In addition, when individuals serving community service are themselves veterans, they can benefit from being in the presence of fellow veterans with shared experiences. STATUS – signed into law.

Continue Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs (SB17-212) – The state Board of Veterans Affairs is comprised of volunteers who work with the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans in claiming benefits. The board also advocates for veterans in housing, employment, and other issues and oversees grant making to VSOs.  I sponsored this bill to continue the state board so it can perform this important work.  STATUS – signed into law.

Angels of America’s Fallen (HJR17-1030) – I sponsored this bipartisan resolution to honor children who have lost a parent in the line of duty for our country and to recognize non-profit organizations that support these children.  STATUS – passed by both house and senate.

I’ve also supported veterans’ legislation to:

• Expand access property tax reductions for veterans with disabilities (HB23-1052 – signed into law) and streamline the process for claiming these benefits (SB23-036 – signed into law);

• Expand access to mental health services for veterans by providing state funding for up to 26 mental health visits per year for veterans who have exhausted VA mental health benefits (HB23-1088 – signed into law);

• Continue the state income tax deduction for military retirement benefits which has the effect of reducing income tax liability for veterans by several hundred dollars per year (HB23-1084 – signed into law);

• Reduce property taxes for Gold Star spouses, that is for people whose spouses have died in the line of duty to our country (HCR22-1003 – state constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2022);

• Prevent housing discrimination based on veteran status with enforcement by the Colorado Civil Rights Division (HB22-1102 – signed into law);

• Improve access to “veteran’s treatment courts” so that veterans with service-connected mental health conditions can have better odds of successfully completing a probation sentence (HB21-1016 – signed into law);

• Fund mobile veterans’ support services and a veteran’s suicide reduction pilot program (SB21-032 – signed into law; SB21-129 – signed into law);

• Restore state benefits for LGBTQ veterans who were discharged less than honorably from the armed services due to their identity (SB21-026 – signed into law);

• Make state park entrance free for Purple Heart recipients (HB21-1116 – signed into law);

• Increase portability of occupational license credentials, to help military families who move frequently continue to practice their professions (HB20-1326 – signed into law);

• Increase pay for Colorado National Guard members (SB20-091 – signed into law);

• Grant in-state tuition status at community colleges for active duty service members, veterans, and dependents (HB20-1275 – signed into law);

• Clarify tax residency for active duty service members – to clarify availability of a state income tax deduction for active duty military pay when service members reacquire legal residency in Colorado after having acquired residency in another state. (SB19-029 - signed into law);

• Require Colorado courts to favorably consider completion of a veterans’ court treatment program when considering an application to seal criminal justice records (HB18-1078 – signed into law).