The Fremont County Veterans Services Office invites veterans and other stakeholders to be part of the planning for a proposed Veterans Affairs clinic.
A meeting will be from 3:30 to 5 p.m. May 23 at VFW Post 4061 at 215 N Cottonwood Ave.
“We want to get out the word to any veterans who might want to participate in the meeting, in addition to county commissioners, mayors and hospital personnel,” said Marty Peek, the Fremont County Veteran’s Service Officer.
Others invited to the meeting include those who provide health care, behavioral health services and public health.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Asset and Infrastructure Review report that was released March 14 offers recommendations that “center around improving access to and quality of care for veterans by ensuring the department’s infrastructure in the decades ahead reflects veterans’ needs and 21st-century design standards.”
Department of Veterans Affairs looking at possible clinic in Fremont County
It was recommended that the sites in La Junta, Salida, Lamar and Burlington close and that care be realigned to other facilities.
Opening a clinic in Fremont County would alleviate the number of local veterans seeking care in El Paso and Pueblo counties, and it would make it easier for local veterans to receive care without having to travel.
There currently are about 5,800 veterans in Fremont County, of which about 2,700 rely upon the VA for medical and behavioral health care services.
Peek said the VA's Eastern Colorado Health Care System currently is looking for a viable property to lease or purchase for the proposed clinic.
"Their preference is for a pre-existing medical building, with minimal remodeling required, but they will look at anything," Peek said. "They are looking at about 3,000 square feet."
The sooner a building is acquired, the sooner the clinic could open.
So that Peek may have a headcount for the meeting, or to share information about a potential building for lease or purchase, leave him a message at 719-276-7400. Peek also is available to help veterans enroll in VA services.
