La Plata County has appointed Erick Burgos as the new veterans service officer.
Burgos spent 22 years in the U.S. Navy before being honorably discharged and has since mentored veterans seeking to start businesses, according to a summary included in county commissioners’ Tuesday meeting packets.
He replaced Greg Dotson, whose last day with the county was in late December. Dotson announced his intention to resign in July, after five years in the role, giving the county several months to seek a replacement.
Nine applicants applied for the job, and Burgos was one of the four interviewed by a panel that included a member of the Southern Ute Veterans Association; two staff members from the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs; and Martha Johnson, the director of the La Plata County Department of Human Services.
The panel found Burgos to be well-qualified for the position based on his education and experience, according to the packet summery. County commissioners formally approved his appointment Tuesday, and he has already begun working.
Burgos will be up for reappointment in 2028, as commissioners must appoint the veterans service officer every two years. Burgos was not immediately available for comment on Thursday.
The county veterans service officer helps veterans, their dependents and surviving spouses navigate the often complex process of claiming veterans’ benefits.
Johnson, who oversees the veterans service officer position, has previously emphasized its importance to the community.
At the end of the 2023 federal fiscal year, 3,021 veterans lived in La Plata County. In 2024 alone, the veterans service officer reported more than 2,000 direct contacts with veterans seeking benefits and assistance.
The annual salary for a veterans service officer is $53,788.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the annual salary for a veterans service officer is $52,728. The salary was increased 2% to $53,788 in 2026.
