Billions in American dollars have already been spent in the ongoing conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. The head of a Colorado veteran's group reports a recent study shows funding current operations is the direct cause for the nation's economic downturn.

The veteran's report includes a survey of approximately 600 Colorado voters who think the war is crippling the economy.

Signs of protest came out in Colorado Springs Thursday. Concerns came to light.

"We have crumbling infrastructure. Health care needs aren't being met,” said Rick Duncan, a veteran and veteran's advocate.

Duncan is talked dollars to a small group of supporters, focusing on who gets what.

"This is about tradeoffs. You can spend it in Iraq, or have health care here," Duncan said.

The unbalanced, defense-to-home-grown-needs trade-off, according to the five page Colorado Veteran's Alliance report, boils down to recession.

"There has to be some effect in there, but to say that's the reason, we have no ability to identify that at this point in time," said UCCS economics professor Fred Crowley.

Crowley agrees the country is in recession, but believes the slowdown could have several causes. Increased demand for oil worldwide driving up gas prices and an impasse between those who lend money to those who will spend it.

"We want to blame someone. The current one is blamed on the capital markets and probably belongs there," Crowley said.

Crowley said Colorado Springs is an example of a community getting some benefit from dollars spent on over seas military operations, citing local jobs created at Peterson Air Force Base to support unmanned aircraft missions.

Duncan said economic relief is more about spending tax dollars for programs at home and rallying voices to make it happen.