By Shannon Lukens.
Routt County has hired Janna Ashton as the Routt County Veteran’s Service Officer. She will work within the Routt County Department of Human Services, assisting veterans and their families, and other eligible clients in filing claims for federal benefits. She’ll be an advocate for veterans seeking services. Her office hours are Mondays and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesdays 8 a.m. to noon.You can find out more about the Veterans Service Office or book an appointment online at www.co.routt.co.us/Veterans-Affairs.
You can meet Ashton at the 60+ Over Health and Wellness Expo from 12:30-3:30 p.m. this Thursday, June 16, at the Steamboat Springs Community Center. The event is presented by the Routt County Council on Aging.
Another event coming up is the kickoff to construction for the new Veterans Center of Northwest Colorado, which is in partnership with the local VFW and American Legion to extend a better service and resource center for today’s veteran and their families. It is at 924 Lincoln Ave in Steamboat Springs. Ribbon cutting for the new Veterans Center and a free local BBQ will be on July 4, 2024 after the parade. Construction begins the following day on July 5.
Press Release from Routt County; June 11, 2024.
Routt County Welcomes Janna Ashton as the Routt County Veterans Service Officer
Steamboat Springs, CO, June 11, 2024 – Routt County is excited to announce Janna Ashton as the Routt County Veteran’s Service Officer.
Janna was sworn in as a member of the United States Air Force in October of 2009 and went on to become a career enlisted aviator. She served as a loadmaster on C-130 aircraft and remained an aircrew service member until her separation in 2017. Most of Janna’s military service was based out of the southern United States, at the largest military installation in the country-and the entire world- Fort Bragg. Finally, after years of moving around the county and numerous deployments, Janna and her husband Christopher Ashton, a United States Army Veteran, call Routt County home.
“I’m so excited to become the County’s new Veteran’s Services Officer because I can actually have a hand in helping connect Veterans to their hard-earned, and well-deserved, benefits. I have not only seen my fellow comrades and Vets struggle to find help and benefits, I have struggled myself as well!” said Janna. “This will be such a fulfilling path and I look forward to helping as many Vets as I can.”
As Veteran’s Service Officer within the Department of Human Service, Janna assists veterans, their families, or other eligible clients in filing claims for federal benefits such as insurance, pensions, disability compensation, health care, vocational training, or any other benefit to which they are entitled. She also serves as a client advocate by attempting to maximize the benefits received, assisting the client with accessing supportive services through other a variety of organizations. Veterans seeking services can find Janna in the main level of the new Routt County Health and Human Services building located at 135 6th Street. Her office hours are Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:00 am-4:30 pm and Wednesdays 8:00-12:00 pm. You can find out more about the Veterans Service Office or book an appointment online at www.co.routt.co.us/Veterans-Affairs.
“I am thrilled to have Janna join Routt County Human Services as the Veteran’s Services Officer. She is passionate about helping Veterans, and it is honor to be able to assist Veteran’s in getting the services they need and deserve,” said Kelly Kissling, Director of Routt County Human Services. “I look forward to the continued partnership with the Veteran’s Center opening this summer and the positive impact it will have in the community.”
Meet Janna at the Steamboat Community Center this Thursday June 13 from 12:30-3:30 pm for the 60+ Over Health and Wellness Expo Presented by the Routt County Council on Aging. The expo starts at 10:30 am and features a free lunch, services, and resources.
“We have such a great community that really wants to get in front of local Veterans and get them connected with these available resources. Claims are super important, but there are so many additional offered benefits that Vets can be connected with that are unknown to them. And that’s what I am here for. Once the new Vet Center opens on Lincoln we will be able to offer even more. This is an exciting time for the local Veterans community,” said Janna.
The new Veterans Center of Northwest Colorado is in partnership with the local VFW and American Legion to extend a better service and resource center for today’s veteran and their families. It is conveniently located at 924 Lincoln Ave in Steamboat Springs. Ribbon cutting for the new Center and a free local BBQ will be on July 4, 2024 after the parade. Construction begins the following day on July 5.
Contact: info@co.routt.co.us