To get the Colorado driver’s license veteran designation, book an appointment at a state driver’s license office and bring your original Member 4 copy of your DD-214 or a valid military ID. The technician updates your record on the spot, and the word “Veteran” is printed on every license or state ID you receive from then on. The rule lives in Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-2-114.1Justia Law. Colorado Revised Statutes Title 42, Section 42-2-114
Who Qualifies
You must have served in the United States Armed Forces, and your discharge cannot be dishonorable. The statute bars the Department of Revenue from issuing the designation when the applicant’s documentation shows a dishonorable discharge.1Justia Law. Colorado Revised Statutes Title 42, Section 42-2-114 Honorable and General Under Honorable Conditions discharges clearly qualify. Other characterizations are not categorically excluded, but what the technician can verify depends on the paperwork you present.
What to Bring
Colorado accepts two documents for the veteran mark:2Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Active Duty Military and Veterans
- Your original Member 4 copy of the DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). It has to be the original, not a photocopy.
- A valid military identification card.
A VA medical card alone will not work. The Colorado DMV documents page says so directly.3Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Required Identification Documents to Get Your Permit, Driver License, or ID Card If that was your plan, line up one of the two accepted documents before you go.
If You’ve Lost Your DD-214
Request a replacement through the National Archives’ eVetRecs portal at vetrecs.archives.gov.4National Archives and Records Administration. eVetRecs You submit the request online and track it there. Records held at the National Personnel Records Center can take several weeks to produce, so start early if an appointment is already on the calendar.
How to Add It
The designation can only be added in person at a state driver’s license office, and an appointment is required.5Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Appointment Scheduling Information Page Schedule through the DMV’s online portal. County motor vehicle offices handle titles and registrations and will not process this change, so confirm you’re booking a state office.6Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle
At the counter, you hand over your DD-214 or military ID, the technician updates your electronic file, and you surrender your current card. You leave with a temporary paper document that works as valid ID while your new card is produced. The permanent card typically arrives by mail within 10 to 14 business days, though it can take up to 30.7Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Identification Cards
You can request the mark during a regular renewal or as a standalone update at any time. Once “Veteran” is on your record, it carries forward on every future renewal with no need to bring your DD-214 back.1Justia Law. Colorado Revised Statutes Title 42, Section 42-2-114
What It Costs
There is no separate surcharge for the designation itself. You pay only the standard fee for whichever transaction produces the new card:
- During a regular renewal: $32.00.
- Outside a renewal, as a duplicate license: $12.30.8Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. State DMV Fees
If a renewal is coming up soon, wait and roll the two together. If it’s a long way off, the $12.30 duplicate fee is a modest price for having proof of service on the card you already carry.
What the Designation Gets You
The daily benefit is convenience. Retailers, restaurants, and other businesses that offer military discounts will accept your license as proof. No folded DD-214, no explaining why you don’t carry a veteran-specific card.
The designation also counts as accepted ID for free entry to Colorado State Parks on Veterans Day. You show a Colorado license or state ID bearing the veteran or military identifier.9MyArmyBenefits. Colorado Military and Veterans Benefits
What It Doesn’t Replace
This is a state convenience marker, not a federal credential. For VA medical appointments you still need a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC); your license can serve as the photo ID when you apply for one, but it will not stand in for it.10Veterans Affairs. Get a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) At airport security, TSA accepts your license because it’s a state-issued ID, not because of the veteran mark. The VHIC itself is independently accepted at TSA checkpoints.11Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint Disabled-veteran property tax exemptions and free year-round state park access run through separate applications; the license designation does not enroll you in them.
Adding a Branch of Service Identifier
Colorado offers a second, separate marking that prints your branch (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, or National Guard) on the card. You can request one or both, but only one branch can appear on a single license.1Justia Law. Colorado Revised Statutes Title 42, Section 42-2-114 It’s open to both active-duty members and veterans, and the accepted documents are slightly broader: DD-214, valid military ID, or a valid Common Access Card.2Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle. Active Duty Military and Veterans A branch identifier from another state does not transfer; you’ll need to present documents again at a Colorado driver’s license office.