ENGLEWOOD – GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez and Democrat Bill Ritter promised veterans Tuesday that they would work to restore funds that were taken from the Veterans Trust Fund to shore up the state budget.
Veterans listed restoration of the fund as their top legislative priority when the legislature convenes in January. Lawmakers took $2.28 million from the trust fund when the economy soured four years ago.
Ritter said the state had “a social contract” with veterans to provide the money from the trust fund and the state should repay the money.
Beauprez, who opposed Referendum C, which was approved by voters last year, said the state has been allowed to keep $600 million more than the estimate given voters when they approved measure, and the state can afford to pay the veterans.
