Bill would give hiring preference to veterans
Voters will likely be able to give veterans a leg up this year at the ballot box.
An impending referred measure from the Legislature would alter the state Constitution and require state departments to give more hiring preference to former troops.
The bill was approved unanimously by the state Senate on Tuesday, and is expected to get similar support in the House.
The new advantage for veterans is practically a footnote in the proposed referred measure, which focuses primarily on reforming the state personnel system, to establish merit-based performance evaluations.
But House Concurrent Resolution 1001 also adds preferential points to service members who were honorably discharged. Even more will be given to soldiers who were injured while serving and are receiving medical benefits from the government.
Spouses of troops who died in the line of duty also will get added preference.
The preference system for veterans is not new, but HCR 1001 increases it significantly, said Senate sponsor Keith King, R-Colorado Springs. King is carrying the measure alongside Denver Democrat Mike Johnston.
“We have a lot of troops in Colorado, and we hope they’ll stay here when they get out of the military,” said King. “We want them to know we appreciate their service, and we’d appreciate them serving the state.”
The state Constitution already requires state departments to put veterans last in line when they’re forced to lay off employees, but the ballot measure would tweak that to conform to the new preference system.
King said he’s worked with state departments, the state employees’ union, and the governor’s office on the bill, to make sure the proposed ballot measure has as much support as possible.
Other El Paso legislators were just as enthusiastic about the measure.
“This bill is long overdue,” said Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs. “It’s the least we can do for veterans.”
Army competitor Anthony Robinson (right) raises his bike Tuesday after a third-place finish in the handcycle event of the Warrior Games at Air Force. His Army teammate, William Longwell (left), won the competition, beating Justin Gaertner of the Marines. Photo by MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE