VA Colorado: Complete Guide for Veterans in the Centennial State

The VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System provides comprehensive healthcare and benefits services to Veterans across Colorado and western Kansas, anchored by the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora. This guide covers eligibility, locations, services, and state-specific benefits for Colorado Veterans.

Quick Facts

Overview of VA Services in Colorado

Colorado is served by two VA health care systems: the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) and the VA Western Colorado Health Care System. The Eastern system is the larger of the two, headquartered at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, which opened in 2018 as a state-of-the-art facility .

The Eastern Colorado Healthcare System provides care at 18 locations across eastern Colorado and western Kansas, including the main medical center and community-based outpatient clinics. The system employs 3,476 staff, including 335 physicians and 1,014 registered nurses, and serves hundreds of thousands of Veterans annually .

The Denver VA Regional Benefit Office, located at 155 Van Gordon Street in Lakewood, processes disability compensation claims, pension claims, education benefits, and other VA benefits for Veterans throughout Colorado .

Eligibility for VA Care in Colorado

Who Qualifies for VA Healthcare

VA healthcare eligibility is based on military service history and discharge character. The following groups generally qualify:

• Veterans who served in active military, naval, or air service and were separated under conditions other than dishonorable 

• Current and former members of the National Guard or Reserves who were called to active duty and completed the full period for which they were ordered

• Active duty service members transitioning to civilian life, including those still on active duty or activated National Guard and Reserve members 

Income and Means Testing

VA healthcare includes income-based priority groups. Veterans with lower incomes or service-connected disabilities may qualify for cost-free care. The Denver VA Regional Benefit Office can help determine eligibility and assist with the application process .

Required Documents for Enrollment

When applying for VA care, bring:

• Current, unexpired photo ID

• Copy of discharge or separation papers (DD-214)

• Relevant medical records

• Social Security number

• Direct deposit information

• Information about dependents (dates of birth, Social Security numbers) 

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center

The Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora is Colorado’s flagship VA facility. Located at 1700 North Wheeling Street, this modern medical center provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care .

Key Services at Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC

Primary Care: Veterans can access routine care, preventive services, and chronic disease management. Primary care teams coordinate specialty services, mental health care, and community referrals .

Specialty Care: The medical center offers cardiology, audiology, dermatology, neurology, ophthalmology, urology, and other specialty services .

Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Unit: The facility includes a 20-bed spinal cord injury and disorders unit providing comprehensive rehabilitation and care for Veterans with spinal cord injuries .

Mental Health Care: Services include treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use disorders, and other mental health conditions. The Veterans Crisis Line (988 and press 1) is available 24/7 .

Blind and Low Vision Rehabilitation: The low vision outpatient clinic provides comprehensive eye exams, visual skills assessments, and training to help Veterans manage daily activities with vision loss .

Amputation Care: Physical, occupational, and recreational therapy, prosthetic support, and limb loss education are available for Veterans who have faced amputation .

Research: The facility conducts biomedical and clinical research focused on improving Veterans’ health, with a research budget exceeding $25 million in 2024 .

Performance and Trust Data

According to recent VA data:

• 91.9% of Veterans trust the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center for their healthcare needs 

• 47% of Veterans reported being able to get urgent primary care appointments as soon as needed

• 79% reported being able to get routine primary care appointments as soon as needed 

Average Wait Times at Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC

VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in Colorado

VA ECHCS operates clinics throughout eastern Colorado to bring care closer to Veterans. The system recently opened a new 24,000-square-foot facility in Castle Rock to serve the rapidly growing Douglas County Veteran population, which is projected to reach approximately 8,600 Veterans by 2027 .

Major Clinic Locations

VA Clinics in Western Colorado

The VA Western Colorado Health Care System serves Veterans on the Western Slope. The Major William Edward Adams Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic in Craig provides primary care services at 1111 West Victory Way, Centennial Mall, Suite 116 .

VA-DoD Surgical Care Collaboration

Colorado Springs Veterans now have expanded surgical care options through a new collaboration between the Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic and military medical treatment facilities at Fort Carson and the U.S. Air Force Academy .

General surgeons from Evans Army Community Hospital and the 10th Medical Group now see patients at the Lindstrom Clinic and perform surgeries at their respective DoD facilities. Surgeries include hernias, gallbladder procedures, and more advanced oncologic surgeries .

This program offers Veterans a choice between the VA Regional Medical Center in Aurora, civilian community care, or DoD facilities. In fiscal year 2024, there were 316 VA-to-DoD referrals across five specialties, saving the government approximately $400,000 .

VA Disability Benefits in Colorado

Federal VA Benefits

Veterans in Colorado are eligible for federal VA benefits including disability compensation, pensions, healthcare, education benefits (GI Bill), home loans, and life insurance .

VA disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment to Veterans with service-connected illnesses or injuries. The amount depends on the disability rating assigned by VA. Veterans can file claims online through VA.gov or in person at the Denver VA Regional Benefit Office .

How to file a claim in Colorado:

1. Gather evidence (medical records, service records, DD-214)

2. File online at VA.gov or with assistance from a VA-accredited representative

3. Attend the Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination if required

4. Receive a decision from the Denver Regional Office

5. Appeal if necessary 

State of Colorado Veterans Benefits

Property Tax Exemption: Veterans with a 100% permanent and total VA disability rating (or individual unemployability) receive a 50% exemption on the first $200,000 of actual value of their primary residence. Surviving spouses of Veterans who died of service-connected causes may also qualify. Apply through the county assessor’s office .

Hunting and Fishing Licenses: Colorado offers a free lifetime combination small-game hunting and fishing license to Veterans with a permanent service-connected disability of 60% or more. Veterans with a 100% disability rating may qualify for free small-game and fishing licenses .

Disabled Veteran License Plates: Veterans with a service-connected disability qualify for free disabled veteran license plates, which also grant free admission to any state park or recreation area .

Colorado Veterans Trust Fund: Provides emergency financial assistance to Veterans and their families experiencing hardship with housing, utilities, food, transportation, and medical expenses. Applications are processed through county Veterans Service Officers or the Division of Veterans Affairs .

Veterans Preference in State Employment: Colorado provides Veterans preference in state employment, with additional points for disabled Veterans .

State Veterans Community Living Centers: Skilled nursing and assisted living care is available at state homes in Aurora, Florence, Homelake, Rifle, and Walsenburg .

VA Benefits Assistance in Colorado

Denver VA Regional Benefit Office

The Denver Regional Benefit Office at 155 Van Gordon Street in Lakewood is the primary point of contact for benefits assistance in Colorado .

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Services Provided:

• Disability compensation claims

• Education benefits (GI Bill)

• Life insurance

• Pensions

• Home loans

• Burial benefits

• Military Sexual Trauma (MST) claim assistance

• Homeless Veteran resources 

Appointments: Veterans are encouraged to schedule virtual or in-person appointments through the Visitor Engagement Reporting Application (VERA) .

County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs)

Colorado’s county Veterans Service Officers provide free claims assistance to Veterans. Visit vets.colorado.gov to find a local CVSO or contact the Division of Veterans Affairs at (303) 284-6077 .

Transitioning from Military to VA Care

The M2VA (Military2VA) Program at VA Eastern Colorado helps active duty service members transition to VA healthcare, even if they are still on active duty or activated National Guard/Reserve members. M2VA Case Managers provide case management and assistance with benefits, polytrauma care, rehabilitation, mental health care, and family benefits counseling .

Vet Centers in Colorado provide confidential readjustment counseling for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Services include individual and group counseling for depression, PTSD, and other readjustment challenges .

Common Questions

1. What is the address and phone number for the Aurora VA hospital?

The Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center is at 1700 North Wheeling Street, Aurora, CO 80045. The main phone is (303) 399-8020 .

2. What is the Denver VA Regional Benefit Office address?

The Denver VA Regional Benefit Office is at 155 Van Gordon Street, Lakewood, CO 80228. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. .

3. Is there a VA hospital in Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs has the Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic at 3141 Centennial Boulevard. For hospital-level care, Veterans may be referred to the Aurora medical center or military treatment facilities through the VA-DoD collaboration program .

4. What are the VA wait times in Colorado?

Wait times vary by service. As of 2026, average new patient wait times at Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC are: Primary Care 7 days, Mental Health Individual 10 days, Dental 20 days, Oncology 2 days . Urgent care availability is improving with options for same-day care at clinics .

5. What property tax exemptions are available for disabled Veterans in Colorado?

Veterans with a 100% permanent and total VA disability rating receive a 50% exemption on the first $200,000 of actual property value. Surviving spouses may also qualify. Apply through your county assessor’s office .

6. How do I file a VA disability claim in Colorado?

File online at VA.gov, with assistance from a VA-accredited representative, or in person at the Denver VA Regional Benefit Office. Bring your DD-214, medical records, and service records .

7. What VA clinics are near Castle Rock?

The new VA Castle Rock clinic opened in May 2025 at 3753 Dacoro Lane, providing primary care, mental health services, radiology, and lab services for the approximately 8,000 Veterans in Douglas County .

8. Does Colorado offer free hunting and fishing licenses for Veterans?

Yes, Veterans with a permanent service-connected disability of 60% or more qualify for a free lifetime combination small-game hunting and fishing license .

9. What support is available for caregivers in Colorado?

VA Eastern Colorado provides caregiver support through care coordinators who assist with benefits, training, counseling, and respite care. Contact the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System for details .

10. How do I schedule an appointment at the Denver Regional Office?

Schedule virtual or in-person appointments through the Visitor Engagement Reporting Application (VERA) online. Walk-in services are also available Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. .

Key Takeaways

• The Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora is Colorado’s flagship VA facility, serving Veterans across eastern Colorado and western Kansas .

• VA care in Colorado is delivered through 18 locations, including the main medical center and community-based outpatient clinics .

• The Denver VA Regional Benefit Office (Lakewood) processes disability claims and provides in-person benefits assistance .

• Colorado offers property tax exemptions for 100% disabled Veterans, free hunting/fishing licenses for 60%+ disabled Veterans, and state Veterans homes in multiple locations .

• A new VA-DoD surgical collaboration gives Colorado Springs Veterans access to surgeries at Fort Carson and the Air Force Academy .

• The new Castle Rock VA Clinic opened in 2025 to serve the growing Douglas County Veteran population .

• M2VA case managers help active duty service members transition smoothly to VA healthcare and benefits .

• Colorado’s County Veterans Service Officers provide free, local claims assistance for VA benefits .

• The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 at 988 (press 1) for immediate mental health support .

• VA ECHCS conducts research with a $25 million+ annual budget, focusing on improving care for older Veterans and those with complex medical needs .

Official Resources

• VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System: https://www.va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care/

• Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center: https://www.va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care/locations/rocky-mountain-regional-va-medical-center/

• Denver VA Regional Benefit Office: https://www.va.gov/denver-va-regional-benefit-office/

• VA Health Benefits Application: https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/

• Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs: https://vets.colorado.gov/

• Veterans Crisis Line: 988, press 1

• USA.gov Veterans Resources: https://www.usa.gov/veterans