I walked with a University of Colorado group in Denver’s City Park earlier this month for the annual Veterans Day Parade to help celebrate and show support for Colorado veterans and their loved ones. CU’s booth at the event, which drew hundreds of race participants and attendees as well as veterans associated with the university, featured a sign that read, “We love your strength and service.” 

For more than a century, CU has been honored to serve those who serve our nation. In addition to helping military-affiliated students achieve their educational goals across our campuses, CU Anschutz – the site of the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center – continues to provide world-class health care and medical research specifically focused on our veterans and active-duty military members. 

Our legacy of excellence in this area runs broad and deep. CU is the only university in Colorado to host all major branches of Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs, making the university a singular hub for military leadership training in the state. Our Naval ROTC unit is one of the most distinguished in the country, and we consistently rank among the top producers of Navy SEAL candidates and Marine Corps officers, second only to the U.S. Naval Academy. Our UCCS campus in Colorado Springs, where 28% of students are military-affiliated, is ranked second in the nation in the annual Military Friendly schools rankings. The campus recently announced it will receive its own operational Air Force ROTC location in fall 2026, allowing student cadets to receive all their classes and training on the campus. Overall, CU is home to the fourth largest Air Force ROTC detachment in the country. At CU Anschutz, the Marcus Institute for Brain Health is a national leader in treating traumatic brain injuries sustained by veterans, active-duty service members and first responders, and the Center for Combat Medicine and Battlefield Research is working to solve the U.S. military’s toughest medical challenges. 

During this season of thanks, it is with immense gratitude that I shine a light on some of the incredible work happening at CU in support of our military-affiliated community members. 

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We Love Supporting Service Members

That’s why we help military families with tailored education and scholarships.

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We Love Life In Colorado

That’s why we’re protecting all Coloradans’ way of life (and the nation’s) by training the next generation of Army Cyber Rangers.

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We Love Colorado’s Military Community

That’s why we’re creating pathways for patriots to explore new career opportunities.

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Forging Future Leaders Through Service

How CU prepares the next generation of military officers.

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How Veterans Use Art for Healing, Recovery

The Marcus Institute for Brain Health at CU Anschutz provides therapy for the invisible wounds of combat.

Congress Member Hears About the ‘Great Work’ of the CU Anschutz COMBAT Center

On the eve of Veterans Day, U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, a Colorado member of Congress who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, paid a visit to the University of Colorado Anschutz’s Center for Combat Medicine and Battlefield (COMBAT) Research and was briefed on its mission of saving and improving lives on the battlefield and at home.

UCCS Makes 2025 Best for Vets: Colleges List

UCCS has made the Military Times "Best for Vets: Colleges" list for 2025, coming in at #4 in the state. The campus' Veteran and Military Affairs division offers transition assistance from military to college life through programming, support services and other resources.