La Plata County Veterans’ Services Office (Erick Burgos, Veterans Services Officer)

The office. "The purpose of the Veterans' Services Office is to provide information, support and guidance services to veterans and their families so they can receive the maximum benefits for which they are eligible. The Veterans' Services Office provides information and assistance to veterans and their families. There is a wide range of benefits available to veterans. Every veteran is encouraged to contact this office to find out about Veterans' Benefits. Your County Veterans' Service Officer (CVSO) can assist you in any matter pertaining to the Department of Veterans Affairs. These services are free of charge, to all veterans and their dependents." The office sits at 1970 East Third Ave, Suite 102, Durango, CO 81301; 970-759-0117; fax 970-247-3277. The officer. The FAQ names Erick Burgos: "If you are not currently enrolled in VA Health care contact your local La Plata County Veterans' Service Officer, Erick Burgos, to enroll in free or low-cost VA Health Care." The accreditation answer: "The County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) is an accredited representative of the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs (CVA), The National Veterans Service Association (NACVSO), and the General Counsel of the Department of Veterans Affairs... The CVSO must be re-certified annually by the successful completion of training under the supervision of the CVA" (see the Colorado entry on C.R.S. 28-5-801, the county-service-office statute). Hours. "The office phone number is (970) 759-0117. Office hours are 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m, Monday - Friday, except holidays. Closed from 12 noon to 12:30pm for lunch break. Appointments are encouraged. Please call (970) 759-0117 to schedule an appointment with the La Plata county Veterans Services Officer. Special arrangements can be made for veterans whose lunch-hour schedules conflict." Health care. "One of our goals as the La Plata County Veterans' Service Officer is to assist all eligible veterans to enroll in VA health care. Please don't put off your enrollment in VA health care any longer. You served your country, now let your country serve you with free or low cost VA healthcare." The Durango VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic is the same address (1970 E. 3rd Ave, Ste 102, next to the Durango Library), open M-F 8-4:30, lunch 12-1, appointments required, 970-247-2214; primary care, mental health and lab work on site, with specialty and inpatient care referred to the Albuquerque VA Medical Center, 1501 San Pedro Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108-9874, 800-465-8262. Transportation. "The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization provides transportation to VA scheduled medical appointments. To arrange transportation call the Transportation Coordinator at 970-501-5575." The State routes. The office's page links the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs' FAQ; the disabled-veteran property-tax exemption, the State's education and tuition assistance, license plates and the rest are the Colorado entry's. The county's property-tax FAQ ("Residents requesting information about their property tax bill") points homeowners who "may qualify for exemptions (senior and disabled veteran exemptions)" to the county website. The office's contact form is on the county site.