Enhanced service is the goal of Veterans Service Office move
Published on November 17, 2023
Convenience, reduced wait times and added resources are among the top things Weld County veterans and their families can expect with the Weld County Veterans Service Office move to 315 N. 11th Ave. in Greeley on Nov. 27, 2023. “This move is really about streamlining our services to continue serving veterans in the best manner possible,” said Mike Freeman, Weld County Commissioner Chair. “We’re excited, and we hope veterans are too!”
The move, which was approved Aug. 29, was made to provide the office with more resources in one location.
Closer access to career planning services offered by Employment Services of Weld County and the state’s Disabled Veterans Outreach Program, a special meeting space to better accommodate veterans with disabilities as well as the planned installation of a special parking area for veterans are all added benefits the county hopes veterans will appreciate.
“This move is far more than just a change of scenery, and we’re looking forward to the office becoming a central point for veterans and their families to access many different services,” said Jeff Smith, Employment and Training Operator for the Weld County Department of Human Services. “We want to continue high-quality service and ease the burden on veterans by putting the services we offer in one easy-to-access location.”
As has been its mission, the Veterans Service Office will continue to assist veterans and their families with determining benefit eligibility and submitting applications for those benefits to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which serves as the benefit provider.
In fact, the Weld County Board of Commissioners appointed two new Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) to join the team this month: Tim Marquart and Tom Gonzales. Gwen Jenkins was appointed to serve as a Veterans Service Navigator.
The new location and new team members will help the Weld County Veterans Service Office continue a tradition of providing a valuable service to veterans. Latest numbers from the National Center of Veterans Analysis and Statistics show that in Fiscal Year 2022, Weld County veterans received more than $202 million in benefits from the VA — up from $171 million in Fiscal Year 2021. In 2022, Weld County Veterans Service staff managed 6,200 case files.
An open house/kick-off celebration of the new Veterans Service Office is being planned and more details will be announced soon. In the meantime, those needing to speak with the Veterans Service Office can do so in person until Nov. 21 by visiting the office at 1250 H St. in Greeley, calling (970) 400-3434 or emailing VeteransServiceOffice@weld.gov. More information about Veterans Service can be found on its webpage.