Rep. Marsha Looper, R-Calhan

Rep. Marsha Looper was walking around the House floor Thursday morning with a contented smile after her colleagues voted unanimously in support of a bill she wrote for wounded veterans. The core of the bill is changing state law to give unlimited access to state parks for any veteran wounded in battle since 2001.

“I’m just so happy that my fellow representatives joined me in supporting our wounded warriors,” Looper said delightedly Thursday morning.

The unlimited access would only be granted to soldiers enrolled in the wounded warrior program. It also would create an annual day of free admittance to state parks for all veterans.

Numerous veterans advocates testified in committee hearings on behalf of the bill, and said it will do wonders to help veterans in rehabilitation programs, both physically and mentally. Under the bill, any wounded veteran can gain access to a state park simply by presenting an ID card at the park entrance. Anyone in the vehicle with the soldier will also be admitted for free.

Former Army serviceman Lewis Lafever, of Northglenn, said state parks can be a huge help to both soldiers and their families, whether they’re wounded or healthy warriors.

“If you stop and think about it, military families move around constantly, and when you get to spend that quality time with your families, it’s important to just get away from your post, because it’s so sheltered and there’s only so many things you can do,” said Lafever.

The bill must be approved on one final vote by the House before heading to Governor John Hickenlooper.

The measure was carried in the Senate by Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs.

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