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El Paso County veteran services: free VSO help and outreach for an estimated 100,000 veterans
Summary
Vernon Stewart said El Paso County offers free veteran service officer assistance at two locations and is prioritizing outreach to an estimated 100,000 veterans, citing examples of large back-pay awards secured with VSO support.
Vernon Stewart, executive director of El Paso County's Department of Community Resources, described veteran services as a core part of the department's mission and urged veterans and their families to use free Veterans Service Officer (VSO) help to pursue Department of Veterans Affairs claims.
"We're here we're here to help," Stewart said, describing VSOs' work helping veterans navigate VA claims and benefits. He said county staff estimated about 100,000 veterans in El Paso County who are registered to receive VA health care, while acknowledging there are likely more who are not yet connected to county services.
Stewart shared two recent anecdotal outcomes as examples of claims work: he said a veteran learned last week he will receive "about $200,000" in back pay after a claims review and another veteran recently received a similar significant back payment. Stewart framed those as examples of how VSO assistance can change families' circumstances.
The county operates two VSO locations, Stewart said: an office at Mount Carmel and a main location on Championship View next to the Powers Costco. He emphasized that services are free, encouraged veterans and family members to visit or call, and said outreach and word-of-mouth are important because the county can only serve those who come forward.
The interview did not include new legislation or budget figures for veteran services; Stewart described ongoing outreach and service delivery priorities rather than a formal policy change.
