Our Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is Rick Ward, who serves both Bent and 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: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Bent County
- Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Bent County
- Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Bent County and 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Otero County
- Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Otero County
- Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 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 - Serving Otero, Bent, and Crowley Counties
We offer transportation for veterans to medical appointments, both VA and non-VA. This service is available to veterans who are unable to drive or arrange a ride Monday through Friday (subject to volunteer driver availability).
Volunteer drivers use personal vehicles to provide rides at no cost to veterans. (Note: 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.
We are also accepting applications for volunteer drivers in Bent County.
Veterans Crisis Line
Veterans Crisis Line - Dial 988 and then press 1 or text 838255
Eligibility - 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 and (o) 800-511-5446
About SSG Fox:
SSG Parker Gordon Fox, a U.S. Army sniper instructor at Fort Benning, Georgia, joined the Army in 2014. Known for his generosity and kindness, Fox tragically died by suicide on July 21, 2020, at the age of 25.
Learn more about the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP) at Valley-Wide Health Systems.