FOR RELEASE: March 29, 2021
CONTACT: Colorado National Guard Public Affairs, ng.co.coarng.list.militarysupport@mail.mil, 720-250-1053
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has completed a reorganization process in which the Division of Veterans Affairs East and West Divisions have been consolidated into one division effective March 26, 2021, to better serve Colorado Veterans and their families.
A collaborative effort between many entities with a vested interest in serving the state’s veterans and their families resulted in the reorganization, which will improve internal processes and practices and streamline operations.
“Our veterans and their families deserve the very best service, and that’s exactly what we plan to deliver,” Interim Deputy Executive Director Dave Callahan said. “It is our vision to earn and maintain the trust and confidence of all those we serve and make Colorado a state of choice for all veterans.”
The move is focused on: improving customer service by providing prompt and efficient assistance and support to all veterans; reimagining state government by seeking opportunities to use space differently, maximize efficiency, and reduce costs without reducing service; creating partnerships that build and strengthen relationships among County Veteran Service Officers and commissioners across the state; achieving unity of effort which synchronizes operations and provides a unified voice; and, team building and development which facilitates collaboration among all veterans service officers across the state.
The Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs will announce the director position during the coming weeks. Interim DVA Director Joanne Iglesias will continue to oversee the State VSO operations, support the Board of Veterans Affairs, engage with a variety of veteran entities who support and partner for veteran services, and provide oversight of the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado and the Western Region One Source, both located in Grand Junction, Colorado.
The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Laura Clellan is the Executive Director of DMVA. The DMVA consists of the Colorado National Guard, Division of Veterans Affairs, and Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, totaling more than 6,700 Soldiers, Airmen, state employees, and volunteers. The DMVA works to support the National Guard to mobilize for overseas contingency operations, coordinates National Guard disaster response in Colorado and the region, supports the missions of the Civil Air Patrol and provides services to our veterans to receive the federal benefits that they deserve. The CONG also supports National Guard State Partnerships with Slovenia and Jordan and a strategic partnership with Israel’s Home Front Command.