HomeMy WebLinkAbout20212728.tiffSTATE OF COLORADO
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
DIVISION OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
155 Van Gordon St, Ste 251
Lakewood, CO 80228
Phone 1-844-458-9767
Fax (303) 914-5835
482 28 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Phone 1-844-458-9767
Fax (970) 245-0782
Joanne Iglesias
Interim Director
September 09, 2021
Dear County Commissioners,
Jared Polis
Governor
Brigadier General
Laura L. Clellan
The Adjutant General
We would like to take this opportunity to share information regarding the Colorado County Veterans
Service Officers (CVSO's), including the semiannual payments provided to counties as a reimbursement
for those offices, as well as the laws and rules regarding CVSO's and the preparation of claims for
benefits for veterans.
In regard to the reimbursement paid to counties on behalf of County Veterans Service offices, the
Division currently pays one amount for part time offices of 34 hours or fewer, and another for full time
offices of 35 hours or more. Payment is calculated per month that a County Veterans Service Officer is
in place and for which a required voucher is received per CRS Title 28. The voucher is submitted in the
form of a recurrent report titled CVA-26. A blank copy of this report form is attached to this
correspondence.
The amount of the stipend based on the appropriation provided by the Colorado General Assembly,
which is then divided by the full and part-time CVSO's in Colorado's 64 counties. Recently there have
been increases in hours at some County Veteran Service offices, resulting in a larger number of full-
time CVSO's. As mentioned above, this affects the amount of the stipend available to County Veterans
Services offices in a given fiscal year.
The funding allocation for reimbursement in support of County Veteran's Service offices for FY 2021-
2022 is $1,275,825. The total cost of licenses for the VetraSpec claims management system for county
veterans service offices is $449 each, leaving $1,247,538 remaining to disburse. There are currently 23
full time and 41 part time county veterans service offices. Therefore, the annual reimbursement
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amount that can be expected in FY 2021-2022 is $28,560 for a full time office and $14,400 for a part
time office. This will be paid in two biannual payments, one after January 1, 2022, and one after July 1,
2022 (upon receipt of a CVS-26 reimbursement form).
When the state budget for FY 2022-2023 is finalized we will be able to provide a projection of the
stipend that can be expected in 2023. That will occur when next year's Long Bill is signed, which is
expected to be in May of 2022.
When hiring a County Veterans Service Officer, please refer to the statutory requirements set forth in
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 28, Part 8. This statute requires that a county veterans service officer
or assistant shall at the time of appointment, "be a resident of the state, shall have served in the
United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, or any auxiliary branch thereof and
shall have been honorably discharged therefrom or shall be an officer released from active duty with
the armed forces and placed on inactive duty therein."
Accreditation through the VA Office of General Counsel is also important in the function of a County
Veterans Service Officer or assistant. A County Veterans Service Officer must work a minimum of 1,000
hours per year to be eligible for such accreditation, and that accreditation is required in order for that
service officer to prepare or submit claims for benefits on behalf of veterans. Per the Office of General
counsel, "unaccredited individuals may provide other services to veterans so long as they do not assist
in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits," as specified in Title38 CFR §
14.627(a).
The Division of Veterans Affairs is happy to offer any needed support or assistance to help our county
veterans service offices continue to provide excellent service to veterans throughout the state. Please
let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Joanne Iglesias
Interim Director
Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs
Cc: Colorado counties Incorporated
482 28 Road, Grand Junction, CO 81504 I P 970-263-8986 I F 970-257-7450 I www.colorado.gov/dmva/wros
Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
County Veterans Service Officers Monthly Report and Certification of Pay
County of Month of
Telephone
Calls
Appointments
Outreach
Total
Served
Surveys Submitted
Certification by County Veterans Service Officer
I hereby certify that the above monthly report is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have
been employed as a county veteran service officer at a rate of:
34 hours per week or fewer
35 hours per week or more
For the month of , 20 from county.
Signature of County Veterans Service Officer Date
Certification by County Commissioner or Designee
In accordance with CRS 28-5-707, I hereby certify the accuracy of the Report CVA-26 revised September 2021:
County Commissioner or Designee of
County
Date
This certification, submitted monthly, properly signed and executed is considered as application for the monetary
benefits to the County General Fund in accordance with 28-5-804 (2002) Colorado Revised State Statute.
Submit this form no later than the 15th day the following month to:
Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs
cdvainfo@dmva.state.co.us
CVA-26 - September 2021
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