Veterans Court Could Launch In August

Court To Deal Specifically With Vets Suffering From Brain Injuries, Disorders

DENVER — There’s a growing push in Colorado to establish a veterans’ court. The plan calls for a specialized court for military veterans charged with misdemeanor crimes while trying to readjust to civilian life. It would provide treatment to combat veterans determined to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or brain injuries.

The state Department of Human Services received a grant from the Veterans’ Administration for the court. The pilot program is expected to launch at the beginning of August in two or three Colorado counties. Those counties are yet to be determined, but El Paso County where Fort Carson is located would likely be one of the test markets.

"They take first time offenders … and try helping them," said Tom Bock, former national commander of the American Legion. "We are starting to recognize that there are stress disorders that cause veterans to act out."

"The recognition is now there," said Jay Bobick, president of the United Veterans Committee of Colorado. "They do — in fact — have stress injuries. And the whole purpose is to address the real problem. These individuals are in need of treatment and care rather than incarceration." The pilot program would cost $2 million over the course of three years and would be paid for by grants.

Many veterans said this isn’t about special treatment, but rather understanding and insight into what combat veterans have gone through.

"They need to be dealt with in a rehabilitative sense," said Bobick. A similar program instituted in upstate New York has reportedly been very successful.

"My initial reaction to the separation and special classification was to be cautious about that, because we don’t want to place an unnecessary stigma on these veterans," said Bock. "But they do need special treatment because they are special. They put their lives on the line for our freedom."

"In prior wars, guys with these injuries would die. They survive today, and we need to figure out how to care for them," said Bobick.