The VFW organization was founded in Denver, Colorado on December 1, 1899 by members of the First Colorado Infantry, which distinguished itself in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. On November 23, 1899 a preliminary meeting led by General Irving Hale (pictured above) took place in our State Capitol and is signified by a bronze plaque dedicated to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and mounted on the ground floor of the Colorado Capitol. Annual dues at that time were $1.00 per person. The founding officers of John S. Stewart Post #l included such honorable veterans as Hale, Sgt. Benjamin F. Stapleton, also past Mayor of the City of Denver and Colorado Congressman Gus E. Hartung.

With the growth and dedication to the VFW, individual Posts were being initiated in every city throughout the United States. By 1921 Colorado alone had 9 separate VFW Posts. However, each Post is numbered consecutively starting with Post #l. Today, the VFW is comprised of more than 2,500 posts and has a membership of 2.7 Million members. It is this organization which began here in Colorado at Post #1.

Post #1 has called several locations close to the State Capitol home since its inception. Currently, the Post is located at 955 Bannock Street in the heart of the Golden Triangle area of Denver. Membership in Post #1 continues to be one of the largest in the country, due in large part to the fact that it is the first VFW Post.