Press Releases

LAKEWOOD—Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen was joined today by House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano in Lakewood for a town hall with local Colorado veterans. Pettersen and Takano answered questions and provided updates on their work in Congress to improve veterans health care, housing, behavioral health, and more. Officials from the Veterans Benefits Administration were also present to help veterans navigate issues including PACT Act resources, VA healthcare enrollment, employment services, and more.

“Colorado veterans put their lives on the line to serve our country, and it’s our duty to ensure they get the resources and support they need when they return home,” said Pettersen. “It was an honor to have Ranking Member Takano in Lakewood today to hear directly from Colorado veterans about how we can best support them on the federal level. Thanks to Ranking Member Takano’s leadership, the PACT Act has expanded VA benefits for over 30,000 Colorado veterans – but we know our work doesn’t end here. I’ll keep working to ensure veterans have better access to affordable housing, behavioral and mental health resources, employment services, and more.” 

“Thank you, Congresswoman Pettersen, for having me at your Veteran's Townhall today,” said Takano. “It was wonderful to join you to discuss my Honoring Our PACT Act and how it is helping Coloradans. I will keep working with Rep. Pettersen to make sure veterans get the benefits they deserve and that VA works for every veteran.” 

The Honoring Our PACT Act  - the largest expansion of benefits for veterans and their families in decades - was signed into law by President Biden on August 10, 2022 and makes nearly 3.5 million veterans eligible right now for the care and benefits they have earned, instead of forcing them to go through an onerous process of proving their illness was related to their service. Veterans that served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, any combat zone after 9/11, or were exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service at home or abroad are eligible to receive PACT Act benefits. Eligible veterans can apply for PACT Act benefits HERE.

Pettersen has also introduced legislation to help veterans by addressing the opioid crisis, including the Hospitals As Naloxone Distribution Sites (HANDS) Act, which would ensure Tricare fully covers the cost of naloxone, a life-saving overdose reversal drug, for veterans who have been identified as at risk of an overdose.

Pettersen is also co-leading legislation to help veterans when purchasing a home. The VA Informed Disclosure Act will ensure that throughout the home-buying process, veterans are aware of the lower VA home loan rates available to them.

Pettersen’s offices in Lakewood and Cañon City are ready to assist veterans with accessing their benefits and navigating federal agencies. Constituents should visit pettersen.house.gov or call 303-274-7944