Colorado's lost military veterans recognized with new memorial
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Ahead of Veteran's Day, Colorado is recognizing fallen members of the military with a new memorial in downtown Denver.
Details: The Colorado Fallen Heroes Memorial, located in Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park across the street from the state Capitol, honors residents killed in recent wars.
- The dedication last weekend came 14 years after the state Legislature created a commission to spearhead the effort, Denver7 reports.
- Much of the memorial's construction costs were paid for by Larry Mizel, chairman and CEO of MDC/Richmond American Homes and a top financial supporter of former President Trump.
By the numbers: An estimated 367,000 veterans of the U.S. armed forces have called Colorado home, according to an Axios Denver analysis of U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The state is tied for 19th in the nation for the proportion of the total population that is military veterans.
- The largest group of veterans is 35 to 54 years old at 28%, followed by 65 to 74 at 23%.
- 90% are men, and 10% are women.
- A quarter are estimated to be disabled.
What they're saying: "It's hopefully a small gesture of gratitude to those families that were remembering their loved ones that were lost in service," said Todd Youngblood, board president for the Colorado Veterans Project.