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Explore How States are Supporting Military Families
Across the country, states are advancing thoughtful policies, programs, and partnerships that strengthen support for military and veteran-connected families. This toolkit brings together those efforts in one shared, accessible place.
Select a state on the map to explore local initiatives, or browse the full database below to discover ideas and opportunities being activated nationwide.
Darker shaded states are a Do Your Part state.
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The Colorado Springs Military Welcome Program is a central hub where servicemembers, veterans and their families can connect with local small businesses who offer military discounts on products and services.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Colorado offers several tax benefits to active duty families in the state with resident and nonresident status.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
OperationVeteranStrong.org connects veterans and their communities to online evidence-based/supported national and local resources to increase self-awareness, build resilience, and prevent mental health crises. It is administered by the Office of Suicide Prevention.
Populations: Active Duty, Veteran Topics: Health & Wellbeing, Health and Wellness, Mental Health Support
Providing low cost, no cost services from community resources to support military members and their families regardless of veteran status.
Populations: Veteran Topics: Other, Resource Systems Navigation
Active duty, veterans, and National Guard members are admitted to state parks free for the month of August if they have the August military pass.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Students of Military Families and Mental Health Cultural Competency resource guide shares resources, training, and guides centered on military-connected students and mental health.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Health & Wellbeing, Health and Wellness, Provider Cultural Competency Training
Military‑connected students who qualify for in‑state postsecondary tuition under §§ 23‑7.4‑203, 23‑7.4‑204, or 23‑7.4‑205 are all eligible to receive the College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend. These provisions ensure COF eligibility for veterans, VACAA‑covered individuals, and community college military, veteran, and dependent classifications under current law.
Populations: Military Children, Veteran Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Dependent Child Education, Education
Colorado provides financial assistance through the Colorado National Guard Foundation to Soldiers, Airmen, and their families experiencing hardship, helping cover urgent needs through grants, loans, and gift cards.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Colorado HB22‑1102 prohibits discrimination in housing sales and rentals based on veteran or military status, ensuring military members and veterans cannot be denied, withheld, or excluded from housing opportunities.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Mobility & Relocation, Relocation/PCS Issues
Colorado’s occupational licensing compacts and military spouse license recognition streamline credential transfers, supporting workforce access, career continuity, and family stability.
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), and the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) license and regulate more than 50 professions and occupations, including educators. These agencies are committed to providing professional support and customer service to Service members, Veterans, and their spouses and dependents.
In certain cases, renewal fees may be waived for Service members, and military training and education may count toward qualifications for licensure or certification. Military spouses may receive special consideration when obtaining a Colorado professional license. Additionally, pursuant to state law (Title 22), military spouses may qualify for a military spouse authorization for teachers as a separate pathway to educator licensure.
Colorado recognizes K–12 schools that demonstrate strong support systems, resources, and points of contact for military-connected students and their families.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration Support
Colorado allows military-connected students and their families to qualify for in-state tuition despite relocation due to military service, reducing financial barriers to higher education during transitions.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Military personnel who do not have a valid hunter education card in Colorado or another state may test out.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Jefferson Center: health, wellness, and support services for service members, veterans, and military families in Colorado.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Colorado provides tax relief for nonresident military spouses, supporting financial stability and easing workforce mobility.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
State law requires postsecondary institutions to award prior learning credit for military training and education using the ACE Joint Services Transcript.
Populations: Veteran Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support, Other
Colorado postsecondary institutions must allow late withdrawals from coursework with full tuition refunds, room and board contract waivers/refunds, and grading accommodations for students who deploy during enrollment.
Populations: Active Duty, Guard and Reserve Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support, Other
The Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP) provides tuition assistance to dependents of deceased or permanently disabled law enforcement officers, firefighters, and Colorado National Guardsmen as defined in C.R.S. 23-3.3-205. Including dependents of prisoners of war or a person missing in action as defined in C.R.S. 23-3.3-204. Qualified dependents are eligible to pursue an undergraduate study leading to a first baccalaureate degree or a certificate of completion. The legislation authorizing the Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP) is designed to support dependents studying at Colorado’s public institutions of higher education.
Populations: Military Children, Survivor Families Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Dependent Child Education, Education
Expands the legal definition of “Armed Forces” to include the U.S. Space Force, ensuring Space Force service members are recognized in state law and eligible for the same benefits, protections, and programs as other military branches.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Removing Bureaucratic Barriers, Resource Systems Navigation
Your Feedback is Welcome!
This toolkit is launching in 'beta' to demonstrate the incredible potential of state level work. We'll keep refining it and would love your help in making it the most comprehensive, easy to use tool out there. Help us improve the States toolkit by sharing anything that needs attention with Blue Star Families by filling out this form.
A comprehensive overview of the methodology and supporting data can be found in the full technical memo.
Let's work together to support our military families.
The Do Your Part coalition is led by Blue Star Families with support from Craig Newmark and craig newmark philanthropies.
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