Weld County’s Veterans Services office is moving locations in an effort to provide better-expanded services, according to a news release.
“This move is really about streamlining our services to continue serving veterans in the best manner possible,” said Weld County Commissioner Chair Mike Freeman. “We’re excited, and we hope veterans are too.”
The office move was scheduled to be completed by Nov. 27.
The office will now be located at 315 N. 11th Ave. in Greeley. It will be a central location where Veterans will have access to Employment Services of Weld County and the state’s Veterans Outreach Program, according to officials. They hope the change will reduce wait times with supplementary resources for Veterans and their families.
“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.”
The Veterans Services Office staff will help them with benefit eligibility and submit applications to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the benefits service provider.
The Weld County Board of Commissioners appointed two new Veterans Service Officers to the team in November, Tim Marquart and Tom Gonzales. Gwen Jenkins was appointed to serve as a Veterans Service Navigator. The new team will work out of the new location to help the Weld County Veterans Services Office.
In 2022, Weld County Veterans Service staff managed 6,200 case files, according to officials. Weld County veterans received more than $202 million in benefits from the VA in 2021, according to National Center of Veterans Analysis and Statistics. That is a $30 million increase compared to the $171 million received in 2021.
Veterans that need services can visit in person at the previous location, the Veterans Service Office, until Nov. 21 at 1250 H St. in Greeley. Contact 970 400-3434 or email VeteransServiceOffice@weld.gov.
For more information about Veterans Service can be found on its webpage at https://www.weld.gov/Government/Departments/Veterans-Service.