Part of the Capitol Complex in Denver, Colorado, the Colorado Veterans Monument prominently honors American veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. With plenty of space for the community to gather and for visitors to reflect, the memorial highlights what it can mean to enable connection across eras and communities.
From Dream to Reality
In 1983, Tim Drago formed the Colorado Tribute to Veterans Fund to create a monument that would honor veterans of all the major conflicts on the Colorado State Capitol grounds in Denver. Selected by veterans in a state-wide competition, the monument features 5 brass plaques bearing the emblem of each of the branches of the Armed Forces. The final design is defined by a 30ft obelisk that was built from red sandstone.
Dedicated in 1990, the Colorado Veterans Memorial has space for organized events, creating a source of revenue for the public park. Anyone who wants to hold an event in the space can fill out an application for an event permit on the capitol grounds.
By giving veterans from the community and beyond a place to gather and connect with the legacy that the Colorado Veterans Monument represents, the memorial highlights what it can mean to resonate with audiences across the eras.
A Special Place in the Heart of Colorado
Located across from the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol, the Colorado Veterans Monument is not the only memorial dedicated to Colorado veterans in the area but it is the closest to the literal heart of Colorado. This proximity highlights what it can mean when space that might be other empty or connected with a forgotten legacy is instead utilized for something that resonates in a much more powerful manner.
