Larimer County reappoints Lee Cooper as veterans service officer; office reports large benefits awards

The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners voted 3-0 on Jan. 28 to reappoint Lee Cooper as the county’s Veterans Service Officer for a two-year term, Jan. 28, 2025, through Jan. 28, 2027.

County staff used the meeting to present operations and outcome data from the Veterans Service Office. Tricia Reynolds, program supervisor, said the five-person office — four service officers who work VA claims plus Cooper as community liaison — handled about 780 claims between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the third quarter of 2024. The office recorded more than 1,000 phone calls in several months and helped secure large retroactive disability awards for veterans, including individual awards that produced six-figure retro payments in the second quarter of 2024.

Marcy Kasner, associate director of Economic and Workforce Development, described the office as primarily funded from the county general fund, noting roughly 90% of its funding comes from the general fund. Reynolds said the office helps veterans, widow(er)s and dependents file and manage VA claims, collaborates with state and federal partners and performs community outreach; Lee Cooper was described as the officer who spends the most time in community outreach and event work.

Commissioners praised the office’s work and cited the financial and stabilizing benefits of the claims work. Commissioner John Kefalas asked about property-tax exemption inquiries involving veterans rated 100% disabled or receiving individual unemployability; Tricia Reynolds described coordination with the assessor’s office and said veterans should provide a VA summary benefits letter to the assessor to determine eligibility.

Commissioner John Kefalas moved to reappoint Cooper; the motion passed 3-0. Cooper spoke briefly to thank staff and to highlight the team’s training and outreach work.