Our Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is Rick Ward, who serves both Bent & Otero counties.
The Veterans Service Office is located in the Otero County Courthouse,
13 W 3rd St., Room 110, La Junta, CO 81050 - on the lower floor, east wing, across the hall from the Health Department.
Hours for both counties are as follows:
Monday: 8-5 Bent County
Tuesday: 8-5 Bent County
Wednesday: 8-12 Bent County & 12-5 Otero County
Thursday: 8-5 Otero County
Friday: 8-5 Otero County
Phone: (719) 468-6406
Office: (719) 383-3148
Email: rward@oterogov.org
Any comments regarding the Veterans Service Office should be made to the Commissioner’s Office at 719-383-3000 or 13 W. 3rd Street, Suite 212, La Junta, CO 81050
Veteran Transportation Service
American Legion Post 9, La Junta, Colorado
Veteran Transportation Service to Any Medical Appointments (VA and Non-VA)
Veterans unable to drive or obtain a ride are eligible.
Serving Otero, Bent, and Crowley Counties.
Monday-Friday- Subject to volunteer driver availability.
Volunteer drivers use personal vehicles to provide rides at no cost to veterans.
(Veterans cannot apply for per diem when using this service)
Call Jay Alexander to schedule at:
(719) 383-3164
Early notice is appreciated and required.
If you are physically handicapped and special transportation is necessary,
contact your primary care physician to request special VA-provided transportation.
This is NOT emergency transportation – for emergency transportation, call 911.
Also accepting applications for volunteer drivers from Bent County.
Veterans Crisis Line
Veterans Crisis Line
Dial 988, then Press 1
or text 838255
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility status will be determined during the intake process, which a Valley-Wide Health Systems team member does.
Participants Must:
Be a verified discharged veteran or active duty member, cannot be dishonorably discharged, or dismissed because of court.
Have a risk factor for suicide including health, environment, or historical circumstances.
Score at least a low risk on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Form. This is the gold standard suicide screen used across the U.S.
Non-Emergent Referrals:
Bradley Roe
Email: roebra@valley-widehealth.org
Phone: (c) 719-469-3676
(o) 800-511-5446
About SSG Fox:
SSG Fox SPGP honors Veteran Parker Gordon Fox, who joined the Army in 2014 and was a sniper instructor at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Known for a life of generosity and kindness to others in need, Fox died by suicide on July 21, 2020, at the age of 25.
Here's more information on the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP).
SSG FOX SPGP
Staff Sargeant Parker Gordon Fox
Suicide Prevention Grant Program
Valley-Wide Health Systems