One way is to have your organization

donate to the UVC as many have

done over the years. Another is to

purchase sponsorships at the Annual

Banquet. Our website,

www.uvc.oc.org has the forms avail-

able to purchase ads, tickets, spon-

sorships, etc. I would like to see eve-

ry organization in the UVC buy at

least two tickets to the Banquet.

Sponsor a younger veteran to the

Banquet so they can see the exciting

things the UVC does for all veterans.

This year, sponsors will be invited to

a private reception with the speaker,

Janine Davidson, PhD, President of

Metro State University. She is a grad-

uate of the Air Force Academy and

was the first woman to fly the tacti-

cal C-130. Additionally, she was the

32nd Undersecretary of the Navy.

Metro has one of the largest veteran

programs in the state.

Our silent auction we have will also

be on-line for the first time, thanks

to Michele Mallin. If you have items

to donate please see Karen Hone for

donation forms.

The United Veterans Coalition of Colorado

700 Colorado Blvd. #747 Denver, CO 80206

http://www.uvcoc.org

https://www.facebook.com/

January 2020 Vol. 4 No. 1

In This Issue

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Dennis Orr

Officers

President

Dennis Orr 303-870-7953

1st Vice President

Dick Young 720-300-3356

dickyoung123@gmail.com.

2nd Vice President

Ed Aitken

Recording Secretary Karen Hone

Treasurer Paul Gremse

Committees

State /Federal Legislative Co-Chairs

William “Robby” Robinson

Shelly Kalkowski

State Legislative Liaison

Dan Jablan

Communications, Chair

Dennis Churgovich

Membership

Chair Dick Wilson

Vice-chair Greg Hay

Nominating Committee

James Craig, Past President

Banquet

Chair Bernie Rogoff

Mgr Karen Hone

By-laws Chair Les Kennedy

Bring your appetite to the January

General Meeting! Thanks to Michele

Mallin, Executive Director of The

Honor Bell Foundation, Chick-fil-A is

donating breakfast for all at the Jan-

uary General Meeting beginning at

0830, Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

Michele asked if this would be possi-

ble as this Chick-fil-A does a lot for

the Honor Bell Foundation and

wants to work with veterans.

Indeed, the job site, has named

Chick-fil-A as the number 2 Rated

workplace for veterans. Many Chick-

fil-A’s have a Military Appreciation

Discount. Be sure to ask when you

patronize this Chick-fil-A.

It is time to start thinking on how

your organization can support the

UVC as we exist upon contributions

to allow us to make things better for

veterans through the Legislature.

Newsletter

P1 UVC President P2 UVC 2020 Kick Off / General Assembly convenes P3 Communications Committee P4 What Can You Do?

P5 Military Retiree Tax Exemption P6 College Rankings / Musings P7 Suits for Vets P8 Addendum A Banquet Sponsor

P9 Addendum B Banquet Registration

January 2020 United Veterans Coalition of Colorado Page 2

Kick Off General Membership Meeting on Tuesday,

January 14, 2020.

This first UVC General Membership Meeting in our

new year of 2020, will serve as the Kickoff for selling

tickets, finding advertisers and sponsors for our only

once a year UVC Awards Banquet (see Addendum A

& Addendum B for registration forms).

And the only way it will be the success that we need

it to be is with many of you becoming involved and

actively pushing it, whether it is getting more Associ-

ate Members of the UVC to send at least one, hope-

fully more, to the Banquet; or personally contacting

friends that you know and who have businesses that

cater to veterans to buy a table or place an ad, or

take on asking businesses/friends for valuable silent

auction items that people will want to bid on.

There is much we must do to make this the success it

needs to be. And you. as one who will help, are the

keys to that success.

And as we say goodbye to the year 2019 and the joy-

ous Christmas season, I, my wife Lorie, and our entire

family hope you and your family had a

Merry Christmas and

a Happy New Year

The second regular session of the Colorado 72nd

General Assembly is scheduled to convene on

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020.

Here are the demographics of this General As-

sembly:

There are 35 senators (19 Democrats and 16 Re-

publicans) and 65 representatives (41 Democrats

and 24 Republicans). The gender breakout for the

Senate is 32 males (seven Democrats and 15 Re-

publicans) and 13 females (12 Democrats and one

Republican). On the House side there are 34

women (26 Democrats and eight Republicans)

and 31 men (15 Democrats and 16 Republicans).

Colorado legislators who are military veterans in-

clude Senators Leroy Garcia (Marine Corps), John

Cooke (Army National Guard), Larry Crowder

(Army),) and Owen Hill (Air Force), as well as Rep-

resentatives Tim Geitner (Army Reserve currently

serving), Stephen Humphrey (service not identi-

fied), Terri Carver (Air Force), Patrick Neville

(Army) and Tom Sullivan (Air Force).*

As reported previously, the UVC member organi-

zations approved a list of six specific legislative

goals for the upcoming session. As of this writing,

we have not identified sponsors for any potential

bills addressing these goals. UVC lobbyist, Dan

Jablan, reports that all General Fund dollars seem

to have been allocated to specific ongoing and

proposed efforts. He indicates that – although an

election year - it will be challenging to get any vet-

eran-related bill requiring General Funds to the

Governor’s desk for signature.

> p3 Legis

You can Help with UVC 2020 Kick Off

Dick Young, 1st Vice President

General Assembly Convenes Next Week

UVC Legislative Committee, Co-chairs

The next UVC Member Meeting

will be January 14th at

VFW Post 9644 2680 W. Hampden Ave.,

Englewood, CO 80110.

Complementary Breakfast at 8:30am

January 2020 United Veterans Coalition of Colorado Page 3

The legislative Committee and Dan Jablan will

constantly monitor the introduction of veteran-

related bills throughout the General Assembly ses-

sion. Additional bills impacting veterans or their

families may be introduced. These bills are also de-

bated at UVC’s monthly legislative committee

meetings to determine the UVC support/oppose/

monitor position. This position must also be ap-

proved unanimously by the designated representa-

tives of the Primary Member Organizations.

For the immediate future, put Friday, February 7 on

your calendars as the date for the annual General

Assembly Military and Veteran Appreciation Day.

* Military veteran status was obtained via an inter-

net search of available legislator websites and may

be incomplete.

Legis cont’d

communicate to our member organizations and fol-

lowers on Facebook. Please take the time to “Like”

our Facebook page.

As the end of the year approaches, it is time to reflect

on the accomplishments and the 2020 goals of the

UVC’s Communication Committee. The membership

of this committee consists of Steve Bender, Stephanie

Vivirski, Diane Young, Karen Hone, and Russell Dennis.

With their help and support, the Communications

Committee has been successful during 2019.

Like many organizations, the UVC is always concerned

about expenses and ways to lower costs. Thus, the

big feather in the Communication Committee cap was

to end the relationship with a website vendor for a

more economical and practical vendor. Savings to the

UVC are substantial.

Due to the dynamics of the UVC, the new website at

uvcoc.org is and is likely to continue as a work in pro-

gress.

Soon the Communication Committee will be publish-

ing a trifold brochure. When the final version is de-

termined, the committee will have a substantial num-

ber printed for distribution. If anyone knows of a pro-

fessional printer that is willing to have these printed

for us at a good cost to the UVC, please contact us

immediately.

Included in the trifold brochure will be an insert list of

the legislation the UVC will be tracking and sponsor-

ing during the upcoming State Legislation Assembly.

Jim Craig is donating the paper and printing to pro-

duce at least 500 inserts for the UVC brochure. Thank

you Jim.

Looking to 2020, the Communication Committee will

be working on making our Facebook page a vehicle to

Communications Committee, Chair

Dennis Churgovich

Register TODAY!

UVC AWARDS BANQUET

SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2020

Renaissance Hotel, 3801 Quebec St., Denver

Banquet Sponsorship: Addendum A

Banquet Registration: Addendum B

Also available at uvcoc.org

January 2020 United Veterans Coalition of Colorado Page 4

One of our legislative goals last year was to hire and

retain direct care staff at the Veterans Community Liv-

ing Centers. To do this we supported an effort by the

Department of Human Services to increase their sala-

ries to the mid-range of the state pay scale. UVC

launched a considerable effort to do this in one year as

opposed to two (as was proposed by CDHS). We were

successful and for the first time ever the General As-

sembly approved $3.6 million in General Fund to help

implement the salary increase. This year, the Depart-

ment has proposed to eliminate the General Fund

Contribution and instead, spend down the Veteran

Central Fund (a cash fund generated from the profits

at the Centers). This appears to be inexplicable and

sends the wrong message to our veterans. The UVC

has voted to oppose this budget proposal and we

need your help. The first point of influence is with the

Joint Budget Committee which, over the next 3

months, will be considering the Governor’s budget.

Our President, Dennis Orr, has already written a letter

to the members of the Joint Budget Committee oppos-

ing this proposal. He points out that the committee’s

action last year, to recommend adding General Fund,

sent a strong message of support to the VCLCs and the

veteran community. To remove those funds this year

sends the opposite message. The Veteran Central

Fund provides the capital and operating funds for the

Centers and it should not be “spent down” as the De-

partment proposes. There are many unmet capital

* * * What Can You Do? * * *

Veterans Community Living Centers (Nursing Homes)

UVC State Legislative Committee

improvements needs at the Centers and the Fund

also serves as the reserve account (in an econom-

ic downturn) for the Centers.

What can you do? Write, email or call members

of the Joint Budget Committee and tell them that

you oppose the Department’s proposal.

Joint Budget Committee 200 E Colfax Denver, CO 80203 Representative Daneya Esgar, Chair daneya.esgar.house@state.co.us 303 866-2968 Senator Dominic Moreno 303 866-4857 dominick.moreno.senate@state.co.us Senator Bob Rankin 303 866-5292 bob.rankin.house@state.co.us Senator Rachel Zenzinger 303 866-4840 rachel.zenzinger.senate@state.co.us Representative Chris Hansen 303 866-2967 chris.hansen.house@state.co.us Representative Kim Ransom 303 866-2933 kim.ransom.house.@state.co.us

January 2020 United Veterans Coalition of Colorado Page 5

Military retirees younger than 55 and living in Colorado will enjoy their first military retirement pay exemption when they file their 2019 tax year income taxes.

A bill (HB18-1060) created a phased-in, partial tax ex-emption for military retirees under the age of 55. The 2019 Tax Year specifies a state income tax exemption for $4,500 in military retirement pay. With the existing Colorado income tax rate of 4.36%, most of our young-est military retirees will enjoy up to $203 in lower state income taxes for 2019.

Assuming the tax rate stays stable, the phase-in ex-emption gradually increases as follows:

Tax Year 2020: $7,000 (up to $324 tax reduction per military retiree)

Tax Year 2021: $10K (up to $463 tax reduction per mili-tary retiree)

Tax Year 2022: $15K (up to $695 tax reduction per mil-itary retiree).

This income tax exemption sunsets after five years, so there is a need to renew or make permanent before Tax Year 2014.

To file for the exemption, military retirees will use lines 5 and 6 on Form DR 0104AD, the schedule for handling subtractions for income for individuals. Instructions in the individual income tax booklet will explain how to take the subtraction, according to Josh Pens, Director of Colorado’s Office of Tax Policy Analysis. Additional guidance on how to file for the exemption is available at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/tax/fyi-publications-income-tax. Look specifically for: FYI In-come 21: Military Service Members; FYI Income 25: Pension/Annuity Subtraction

Why is the military retirement pay tax exemption only available for under 55? Colorado has an ex-isting retirement pay (including social security) income tax exemption for all persons - civilian or military - aged 55 and over. An analysis of Colo-rado's military retirees showed declining num-bers in younger than 55 military retirees, increas-ing numbers in military retirees over 55. To mini-mize the fiscal impact on the State's General Fund, the UVC advocated for a bill that targeted under age 55 retirees and showed where this age group - second careers, working spouses, etc. - brings an almost 500% return-on-investment in state and local taxes and fees. The following links will take you to the Colorado Department of Revenue Taxation Division web-site to see the following “FYI” documents.

FYI Income 21: Military Service Members

FYI Income 25: Pension/Annuity Subtraction

Military Retirement Pay Exemption

for Colorado’s military retirees.

UVC Legislative Committee

Register TODAY!

UVC AWARDS BANQUET

SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2020

Renaissance Hotel, 3801 Quebec St., Denver

Banquet Sponsorship: Addendum A

Banquet Registration: Addendum B

Also available at uvcoc.org

January 2020 United Veterans Coalition of Colorado Page 6

A message from John McCain

This country/. . . . . . .this big, boisterous,

brawling, Intemperate restless, striving, daring,

good and magnificent country needs us to help

it thrive. This responsibility is more important

than any of our personal interests or political

interests or political affiliations. We are the

servants of a great nation, “a nation conceived

in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that

all men are created Equal “. More people have

lived free and prosperous lives here than in

any other nation. We have acquired unprece-

dented wealth and power because of our gov-

erning principles, and because our government

defended those principles. America has made

a greater contribution than any other nation to

an international order that has liberated more

people from tyranny and poverty than ever

before in history. We have been the greatest

example, the greatest supporter, and the

greatest defender of that order.

We aren’t’ afraid. We don’t covet other peo-

ples wealth. We don’t hide behind walls. . .

we breach them. We are a blessing to human-

ity.

2020 Military Times Rankings

Shelly Kalkowski, UVC Northern Colorado Rep

Colorado colleges made an impressive showing on the

2020 Military Times “Best for Vets” college rankings. Ac-

cording to the publisher, this annual ranking is intended

to help Post 9-11 Forever GI Bill beneficiaries choose the

right college to maximize their valuable education bene-

fits. The company surveys hundreds of colleges and uni-

versities from across the country on their policies related

to military and veteran students, academic outcomes,

military-supportive cultures and other factors to develop

the rankings.

Five 4-year Colorado colleges, two 2-year colleges and

one Online and Nontraditional school are featured on

the list. According to the website, these schools enrolled

a total of 18,400 student veterans for the Fall 2018 se-

mester.

Four-year schools and their ranking: Colorado State Uni-

versity (2); University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical

Campus (16); Colorado State University Pueblo (34);

Metropolitan State University of Denver (43); University

of Colorado Colorado Springs (94). (Total schools in the

ranking: 134.)

Two-year schools and their ranking: Pikes Peak Commu-

nity College (12) and Red Rocks Community College (13).

(Total schools in the ranking: 28.) Colorado Technical

University ranks 11 out of fourteen among Online and

Nontraditional schools.

Formerly known as Army Times, the 79-year-old Military Times publishes four defense and military service focuses publications and an available news website: https://www.militarytimes.com.

Musings from Bernie

Bernie Rogoff UVC Banquet Chairman

January 2020 United Veterans Coalition of Colorado Page 7

On December 19, the entire 1,100 feet of the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center’s con-course was lined with Vet-erans, active duty service members and reservists. America’s heroes all attended the first ever ‘Suits for Warriors’ event hosted in partnership with Boeing, H.E.R.O.E.S. Care, Dress For Success Denver and VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS).

Approximately 750 men’s business suits were donated by Men’s Warehouse and another 100 women’s suits were donated by Dress For Success Denver. The value of these donations is approxi-mately $143,000. In total, 572 of America’s heroes presented in hopes of finding a suit and at the end

Army PFC Eustace_left_and SPC Drumgoole

show off their new suits

of the day, every last one of these men and women took a suit of their very own home.

“I cannot thank our community partners enough for the work they do in support of the mili-

VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System

hosts ‘Suits for Warriors’

tary and our Veterans. Transitioning into civilian life and a new career path can be challenging. One suit can make all the difference in helping a Veter-an’s confidence while preparing for interviews, job fairs or networking events,” VA ECHCS Director Michael Kilmer said.

VA ECHCS Voluntary Services helped to make this event a success and hopes that this can be-come an annual event in support of helping those who may not have the means to pur-chase a suit, just like it did for Hawaii na-tive, Army Na-tional Guard Veteran Tony Diec who said he hasn’t need-ed a business suit until recently. “I’m in between jobs right now and am grateful for services that provide business suits like this so I can dress the part at interviews,” Diec said.

Register TODAY!

UVC AWARDS BANQUET

SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2020

Renaissance Hotel, 3801 Quebec St., Denver

Banquet Sponsorship: Addendum A

Banquet Registration: Addendum B

AWARDSBANQUET

H O N O R I N G

A P R I L 1 9 , 2 0 2 0

CREDIT CARD INFORMATION: VISA MASTERCARD DISCOVER AMEX

NAME ON CARD EXPIRATION DATE

CREDIT CARD # VERIFICATION CODE

BILLING ADDRESS

CITY/STATE BILLING ZIP CODE

AUTHORIZED SIGNATUREAMOUNT TO BE CHARGED $

INDIVIDUAL OR COMPANY INFORMATION:

INDIVIDUAL OR COMPANY NAME

CONTACT

STREET ADDRESS

CITY/STATE/ZIP

EMAIL PHONE

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

TO PAY BY CHECK Please make check payable to United Veterans Coalition, and mail this form and check to: United Veterans Coalition 700 Colorado Blvd. #747, Denver, CO 80206

TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD Complete this form and mail to: United Veterans Coalition, 700 Colorado Blvd. #747, Denver, CO 80206 or call 303.332.3007. You can also scan and email to: karen.hone@comcast.net

Make it easy! Register online today at www.uvcoc.org For more information, please contact Karen Hone at 303-332-3007 or karen.hone@comcast.net

� STARS & STRIPES $5,000• Tickets for 15 guests• Sponsorship banquet

reserved table• Logo on all event signage, website

and program• Sponsorship banner at event• Sponsorship exhibit table at event• Sponsor literature at all tables• Event program full-page color ad

on inside front cover (due 3/21/20)

� SPONSOR LISTING (SINGLE/INDIVIDUAL ONLY) $25

� BUSINESS CARD (3.5"wide x 2"high) $60

� 1/4 PAGE BLACK & WHITE (3.5"wide x 5"high) $250

� 1/2 PAGE BLACK & WHITE (7.5"wide x 5"high) $400

� FULL-PAGE BLACK & WHITE (7.5"wide x 10"high) $700

� PLEASE USE ARTWORK/AD FROM THE 2019 PROGRAM

� PLATINUM $3,500 • 10 banquet event tickets • Sponsorship banquet

reserved table • Logo on all event signage, website

and program • Sponsorship banner at event • Event program full-page color ad

on inside back cover (due 3/21/20)

� GOLD $2,250 • 10 banquet event tickets • Sponsorship banquet

reserved table • Logo on all event signage,

website and program • Event program full-page

color ad (due 3/21/20)

� SILVER $1,750 • 10 banquet event tickets • Sponsorship banquet

reserved table • Logo on all event signage,

website and program• Event program half-page

b&w ad (due 3/21/20)

PAYMENT INFORMATION

EVENT PROGRAM ADVERTISING

ALL ARTWORK MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 3/21/2020• High resolution PDF ONLY � ������������ ��������� ������������ ������������� ������

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - Please select your sponsorship level.

UNIT

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UVCB E N E F I T I N G

$75 /personBefore 3/15/2020

$95 /personAfter 3/15/2020

Ticket(s) _____

Ticket(s) _____

Total $ _________

RESERVE YOUR DINNER TICKETS

TODAY!

2020 Program Cover

* * *Addendum A UVC Newsletter January 2020 * * *

GUEST NAME & EMAIL - PLEASE PRINT BEEF CHICKEN SALMON VEGGIE

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

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11

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DINNER REGISTRATION - Attire: Black tie optional or business

Make it easy! Register online today at www.uvcoc.org For more information, please contact Karen Hone at 303-332-3007 or karen.hone@comcast.net

AWARDSBANQUET

PLEASE JOIN US!

H O N O R I N G

B E N E F I T I N G

APRIL 19, 2020Renaissance Hotel - 3801 Quebec Street, Denver, CO

RECEPTION & SILENT ACTION3:30 pm

DINNER & PROGRAM5:00 pm

NEW THIS YEAR!• VIP Reception for Sponsors with the Keynote Speaker, Sunday, April 19, 4:00 to 5:00pm• Sponsor Logos on UVC Website

UNIT

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UVC

Janine Davidson, Ph.D. President, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Janine Davidson, Ph.D., is the president of Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado’s third-largest public university and the only access-oriented higher-education institution in the state. Prior to her appointment in 2017, Davidson served as the 32nd undersecretary of the U.S. Navy. Her appointment as Navy “under” followed nearly 30 years of academic, civilian and military service. She began her career as an ��������������� ���������������� ������������������ ���������� branch’s tactical C-130.

Davidson’s various honors include: Secretary of the Navy Medal for Distinguished Public Service; Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service; Girl Scouts of Colorado 2018 “Woman of Distinction”; and the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce 2019 “Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business.”

Currently, Davidson serves as a presidentially appointed commissioner for the National Commission on Military, National and Public Service. Locally, ��������� ��� ������� � �������������� ����������������� ��� Mayor Michael Hancock’s “Complete Count” 2020 census committee.

2020 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

* * * Addendum B UVC Newsletter January 2020 * * *