State Sen. Leroy Garcia, a Democrat from Pueblo knows about service and sacrifice, and keeps those values in mind at the Capitol.

That’s why the Disabled American Veterans Department of Colorado named Garcia this year’s legislator of the year for legislation he passed that the organization said is having a positive impact on the lives of Colorado veterans.

“Once a Marine, always a Marine,” Garcia said. “Even in civilian life, the principles of caring for my brothers and sisters in uniform have remained a part of who I am, and those principles are why advancing legislation to support veterans is one of my top priorities.

“I am truly humbled to receive this award from the DAV, which does incredible work taking care of our disabled military veterans and their families. I pledge to continue to fight for our men and women in uniform to ensure they are not only being supported while in service, but they are able to easily access the services they have earned when they return home to Colorado.”

Garcia is a Marine veteran who fought in the Iraq in 2003.

He was one of three finalists for the award along with  U.S. Reps. Mike Coffman, a Republican from Aurora, and Ed Perlmutter, a Democrat from Arvada.

Coffman, too, is a combat veteran who this month was named the legislator of the year by the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Garcia passed three bills to help veterans in this year’s session –  Senate Bill 217 and Senate Bill 219 spared two advisory boards that help veterans and properly oversee the state’s veterans community centers.

He also carried House Bill 1004, to provide college credits for education and training people receive in the military.

“This bill will enable service members to be recognized for their invaluable skills in the form of college credit, and put them on a faster path towards any career they choose to pursue,” Garcia’s office said in a statement.

Garcia noted all three bills passed the Senate unanimously.