Description 

The Veterans Services department provides assistance to qualified military veterans and their families, or a veteran’s survivors, in applying for and in obtaining US Department of Veteran Affairs Program Assistance, benefits and claims. The applications include enrollment into health care, compensation and pension Claims, as well as burial and memorial benefits. This assistance is provided within the guidelines, policies, and procedures established by the Colorado Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. This is a State of Colorado mandated program.   

The County Veterans Service Officer answers directly to the County Administrator. 

Core Services 

• Assist with all veteran related matters in the County, including assisting citizens interested in Veteran’s information and assistance, and ensuring privacy of personal information 
• Interview and determine the best course of action to maximize any and all VA benefits a Veteran or Veteran related individual (dependent), may be entitled to 
• Provide outreach in the community by providing information to Veterans on VA benefits, through local media including a weekly newspaper column and news releases, attending community gatherings, and cooperation through local Veteran’s service organizations 
• Determine appropriate application processes for VA benefits and claims, and assist in filling out all applications and forms required, in accordance with VA Regulations 
• Point of contact for transportation assistance for Veterans for health and well-being appointments; scheduling cars or volunteer drivers (if needed), and working with Archuleta County Fleet for Maintenance of VSO Cars 
• Maintain a physical file of all local Veterans and Veteran dependents filing for benefits, to include strict monitoring of access to these records 

2026 Goals 

• Continue to actively pursue opportunities through the Colorado State Board of Veteran Affairs in providing insight of veteran needs in rural communities, such as outreach opportunities and veteran grant programs available. 
• Expand Outreach with local entities, those who have veterans in them or those who support veterans.  Also expand into public and private schools in the community. 
• Continue to provide assistance in generation of veteran, surviving widows or family members claims to which they are eligible and qualified. 
• Enroll veterans in VA Health Care that has actually provided life support, and much needed health care appointments resulting in veterans receiving mental health care, hearing aids and other critical necessities. 
• To provide a level of County Veteran Services that has been established to meet the needs of our veterans.  This includes cooperation through CO state VSO’s, Western Slope VSO’s, through ZOOM and webinars, to improve the knowledge and expertise of this office. 
• Provide a point of contact, for assessing a veteran’s needs, to provide the next steps in solving what that veteran is in need for improving the current state.  This may require help from other organizations and entities to support this veteran. 
• To provide coordination and vehicle scheduling for veteran transportation to appointments, including volunteer drivers, and keep other departments informed for assistance in maintaining transportation vehicles. 

2025 Challenges 

• Filing of claims including intents, for new legislation enacted by Congress (PACT ACT). In addition, more veterans are moving into area, as a result of COVID and other factors.  Many are finding issues related to a small community and long distances to facilities used by veterans. 
• Health Care:  locations and support of veterans and family members with appropriate health care depending on qualifications and ability to make those appointments. 
• Personal Health issues within family, both parents and daughter, resulting in added stress to complete assistance to county veterans. 
• Issues resulting from an aging population of veterans and veteran care givers.  Health issues causing transportation problems and access to deserved treatment or services. 
• Difficulties resulting from recovery needs as a result of COVID.  These were varied between traveling, getting people out in the public, large losses of veterans during COVID, and overall change in what is “Normal”. 
• Age of veterans and resulting issues to be dealt with aging people.  Many veteran who were self proficient, prior to COVID are finding they cannot complete tasks as they once were.