It is endemic to Colombia and is only known from the vicinity of its type locality in Samaná and Pensilvania municipalities in the Caldas Department, on the eastern slope of the Cordillera Central (Colombian Andes).

[2] Pristimantis veletis inhabits cloud forests at elevations of 1,800–2,400 m (5,900–7,900 ft) above sea level.

[1] Pristimantis veletis is a rare species—annual surveys to the type locality after 2013 have revealed only one specimen.

It is threatened by habitat loss caused by subsistence wood collecting, pine plantations, and agricultural development.

However, it occurs in the Selva de Florencia National Natural Park [es], a well protected-area.