When Marine Corps veteran Dallas Lackovic heard that more than $1,000 of his medical debt had been relieved, he didn’t believe it.

“At first, I thought it was just a scam, because I’ve never had anything like that happen to me,” Lackovic said.

Lackovic, a Longmont resident, is a recipient of a debt payoff initiative aimed at easing the financial burdens of U.S. military veterans. The program is coordinated by clothing company Born Primitive, which pledged to donate all profits raised around this year’s Veterans Day to military veterans with medical debt.

For the 25-year-old Lackovick, that meant being cleared of $1,100 of his medical debt. His medical expenses weren’t related to his military service, but Lackovic still qualified for the program as a veteran, and was randomly selected.

Lackovic has spent his whole life in Longmont. After high school, Lackovic joined the Marine Corps for one year, serving in an infantry unit.

While riding his dirt bike in Erie, Lackovic suffered a compound fracture in his knee. He accumulated medical debt after getting surgery and going through some physical therapy.

Last month, Lackovic received a text explaining that he was a beneficiary of the debt relief program. Even after sharing his personal story with someone involved in the program, he didn’t think the opportunity would go anywhere.

Then, he learned that $1,100 of debt would be forgiven.

“I was speechless,” he said. “It was almost too good to be true, like someone was pulling my leg.”

The payoff, Lackovic said, will improve his credit score, which he said is exciting after renting a home for three years.

“I’m more open to buying a house now,” he said.

Over the past year, Lackovic has also started his own company — a welding and steel fabrication shop, which he runs in Berthoud. Dealing with the financial stress of small business ownership on top of the medical debt, he said, has been really tough.

While $1,100 isn’t a massive debt to pay off, he said getting rid of any amount is a big relief.

“Anything helps, at this point,” Lackovic said. “I’m just very grateful that there’s still hope that there are good people out there who are willing to do good things.”The total amount Born Primitive raised for medical debt relief was $5 million, which went to military veterans across the country.

Lackovic talks to his fellow veterans almost every day, listening to their stories and struggles. He said he’s sure the other program recipients are just as grateful as he is.

“Knowing that I’m not the only one that’s getting help is phenomenal,” Lackovic said.