An assortment of state legislators, veterans and Colorado National Guard members gathered Sunday to tout a package of six bills aimed at improving assistance to active military, Guard personnel and vets.
The bills, which sponsors collectively dubbed the “Help Our Heroes Legislative Package,” provide a variety of benefits. They would make it easier for soldiers overseas to cast absentee ballots, reimburse life insurance premiums for Colorado National Guard members, and ensure that military and Guard families receive in-state tuition at Colorado universities.
In addition, two bills currently in the House would create advisory boards to oversee the state’s veteran nursing homes.
State Rep. Joe Rice, D-Littleton, one of the package’s champions and a veteran of the Iraq war, said the bills would improve what he called the state’s dismal record of helping veterans.
Colorado currently spends 97 cents per veteran in the state per year, Rice said. That ranks last among all states; the national average is about $6 to $12 dollars, Rice said.
“We are pathetically funding our veterans in Colorado,” said Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, another supporter. “We absolutely need to do it, on our watch, at this time.”
The bills, which have support from legislators in both parties, are making their way through the state House and Senate and have thus far faced little opposition.
However, one measure – Senate Bill 146, which would provide $300,000 to fund a pilot program providing mental health services to the families of returning veterans – narrowly survived a 3-2 vote in committee last month.
Marvin Meyers, director of the United Veterans Committee of Colorado, said it is crucial that families also receive mental-health help.
“When the soldier goes to war, the family goes to war,” he said. “When the soldier is wounded, the family is wounded.”
In total, Romer said the package of bills would cost between $500,000 to $600,000 to implement. Romer said legislators may also consider going to the voters in November to fund a targeted $20 million trust account that would support veterans’ nursing homes and other facilities.
Maj. Gen. Mason Whitney, commander of the Colorado National Guard, said the bills are a boon to morale.
“To our men and women serving our country, these bills will send a powerful and unmistakable message that we recognize their sacrifices and support their service,” he said.
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
