A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning the veterinary workforce, and, in connection
Page 1, Line 102therewith, establishing requirements for the practice
Page 1, Line 103of veterinary medicine by veterinary professional
Page 1, Line 104associates.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill establishes and modifies requirements related to the practice of veterinary medicine by a veterinary professional associate (VPA). In November 2024, voters in Colorado approved Proposition 129, which established the role of VPAs and permits VPAs, starting on January 1, 2026, to practice veterinary medicine under certain circumstances. The bill specifies how an individual can register as a VPA in Colorado and clarifies the circumstances under which a VPA can practice veterinary medicine.
The bill specifies that a VPA is only permitted to practice veterinary medicine under the immediate or direct supervision of a supervising licensed veterinarian. Telesupervision of a VPA practicing veterinary medicine is not permitted under the bill.
The bill requires the supervising licensed veterinarian and the VPA to file a signed written agreement with the state board of veterinary medicine (board) that states the veterinarian is responsible for the practice of veterinary medicine by the VPA. Once that agreement has been filed with the board, the supervising licensed veterinarian may delegate aspects of the practice of veterinary medicine to the VPA if:
- The aspects of the practice are within the training, experience, and competency of the VPA;
- The practice of veterinary medicine delegated to the VPA is permitted under requirements of state and federal law and board rules;
- The supervising licensed veterinarian and VPA are located at the same veterinary premises while practicing veterinary medicine; and
- The licensed veterinarian or the VPA has obtained informed consent from the client.
- Require a VPA to practice veterinary medicine only if under immediate or direct supervision;
- Permit a VPA to perform veterinary tasks that do not constitute the practice of veterinary medicine under indirect supervision if deemed appropriate by the supervising licensed veterinarian;
- Approve a nationally recognized VPA credentialing organization that requires a VPA to complete an accredited university program for VPAs, pass a VPA examination, and complete continuing education requirements;
- Provide guidance to supervising licensed veterinarians in their delegation of tasks to and supervision of VPAs;
- Determine a scope of practice for VPAs;
- Establish a registration fee for the registration of VPAs;
- Determine continuing education requirements for VPAs; and
- Establish an equivalent registration pathway for a veterinary technician specialist, which pathway considers a veterinary technician specialist's experience, education, and training as a substitute for the education requirements needed to register as a VPA.
The bill instructs the board to adopt rules regarding the practice of veterinary medicine by VPAs, including rules that:
The bill clarifies that a veterinarian-client-patient relationship must be established and maintained only by a licensed veterinarian.
The bill requires a licensed veterinarian to comply with certain restrictions when prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines.
Page 3, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 3, Line 2SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that:
Page 3, Line 3(a) Proposition 129 was passed by voters in November 2024 and established the role of a veterinary professional associate in Colorado;
Page 3, Line 4(b) As a national leader and the first state to establish the role of
Page 3, Line 5a veterinary professional associate, Colorado must set a strong foundation
Page 3, Line 6and put proper guidelines in place to provide adequate structure for and oversight of veterinary professional associates;
Page 3, Line 7(c) By establishing clear guidelines for the department of
Page 3, Line 8regulatory agencies and the state board of veterinary medicine that will
Page 3, Line 9provide oversight and regulate veterinary professional associates,
Page 3, Line 10Colorado will ensure the protection of animals, patients, and owners in
Page 3, Line 11Colorado while also protecting public health and shaping the success of the new veterinary professional associate position; and
Page 3, Line 12(d) Furthermore, clear guidelines and regulations related to the
Page 3, Line 13new veterinary professional associate position will ensure that the will of
Page 3, Line 14the voters is implemented and that Colorado's animals receive quality veterinary care.
Page 3, Line 15SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-104, amend
Page 3, Line 16as they will become effective January 1, 2026, (21.5) and (21.7); and
Page 3, Line 17add (21.9) as follows:
Page 4, Line 112-315-104. Definitions. As used in this article 315, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 4, Line 2(21.5) "Veterinary professional" means a veterinarian licensed
Page 4, Line 3pursuant to this part 1, a veterinary professional associate registered
Page 4, Line 4pursuant to part 2 of this article 315, or a veterinary technician or
Page 4, Line 5veterinary technician specialist registered pursuant to part 2 of this article 315.
Page 4, Line 6(21.7) "Veterinary professional associate" means an individual
Page 4, Line 7who holds a master's degree in veterinary clinical care, or the equivalent,
Page 4, Line 8as determined by the board pursuant to sections 12-315-106 (10)
Page 4, Line 9and 12-315-201 (4), and who is subject to the requirements in section 12-315-203.7.
Page 4, Line 10(21.9) "Veterinary professional associate credentialing organization" means:
Page 4, Line 11(a) A veterinary professional associate credentialing
Page 4, Line 12organization approved by the board pursuant to sections
Page 4, Line 1312-315-106 (5)(j) and 12-315-201 (1)(g) to credential veterinary professional associates in this state; or
Page 4, Line 14(b) The board if, pursuant to section 12-315-201 (3), no credentialing organization is approved.
Page 4, Line 15SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-105, amend as it will become effective January 1, 2026,(1)(u) as follows:
Page 4, Line 1612-315-105. License requirements and exceptions - practice of
Page 4, Line 17veterinary medicine - prescriptions - definitions - rules. (1) An
Page 4, Line 18individual shall not practice veterinary medicine in this state if the
Page 4, Line 19individual is not a licensed veterinarian. An individual shall not practice
Page 4, Line 20artificial insemination or ova transplantation of cattle or other animal
Page 5, Line 1species in this state except in accordance with rules established pursuant
Page 5, Line 2to section 12-315-106 (5)(c). An individual not licensed as a veterinarian
Page 5, Line 3pursuant to this part 1 shall not diagnose, issue prognoses for, prescribe for, or perform surgery on an animal. This article 315 does not prohibit:
Page 5, Line 4(u) A veterinary professional associate from practicing veterinary
Page 5, Line 5medicine on species for which the veterinary professional associate has received training and that is:
Page 5, Line 6(I) Within the veterinary professional associate's
advancedandPage 5, Line 7(II) Within the scope of practice for veterinary
Page 5, Line 8professional associates, as determined by the board pursuant to section 12-315-201 (1)(f); and
Page 5, Line 9
(II)Page 5, Line 10supervision
ofPage 5, Line 11accountable for the
veterinary professional associate's performance.Page 5, Line 13SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-105.5,
Page 5, Line 14amend (2), (3)(a) introductory portion, (3)(a)(I), (5)(a) introductory
Page 5, Line 15portion, and (5)(a)(I); and add(3.5), (5)(a)(III), (5)(a)(IV), (8), and (9) as follows:
Page 5, Line 1612-315-105.5. Delegation to and supervision of veterinary
Page 5, Line 17technicians, veterinary technician specialists, veterinary professional
Page 5, Line 18associates, and other qualified personnel - rules. (2) A licensed
Page 5, Line 19veterinarian shall establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship
Page 5, Line 20before the veterinarian delegates a task to a veterinary technician, a
Page 5, Line 21veterinary technician specialist, a veterinary professional associate, or other qualified personnel.
Page 6, Line 1(3) (a) When determining whether to delegate a task to a
Page 6, Line 2veterinary technician, a veterinary technician specialist, a veterinary
Page 6, Line 3professional associate, or other qualified personnel, a licensed veterinarian shall consider:
Page 6, Line 4(I) The level of education, skills, training, licensing, and
Page 6, Line 5experience of the veterinary technician, the veterinary technician
Page 6, Line 6specialist, the veterinary professional associate, or other qualified personnel;
Page 6, Line 7(3.5) A licensed veterinarian may delegate the practice of
Page 6, Line 8veterinary medicine to a veterinary professional associate and
Page 6, Line 9supervise the performance of the veterinary professional associate if:
Page 6, Line 10(a) The licensed veterinarian has signed an agreement
Page 6, Line 11with the veterinary professional associate in accordance with section 12-315-203.7 (6);
Page 6, Line 12(b) The delegation, supervision, and performance of the
Page 6, Line 13practice of veterinary medicine are being conducted in compliance with this article 315 and all applicable board rules;
Page 6, Line 14(c) The supervising licensed veterinarian is located at the
Page 6, Line 15same veterinary premises as the veterinary professional
Page 6, Line 16associate while the veterinary professional associate is
Page 6, Line 17performing the practice of veterinary medicine, unless the
Page 6, Line 18veterinary professional associate meets the indirect supervision requirements of subsection (9) of this section; and
Page 6, Line 19(d) The supervising licensed veterinarian is supervising no
Page 6, Line 20more than three veterinary professional associates who are practicing veterinary medicine at any one time.
Page 7, Line 1(5) (a) In
promulgatingPage 7, Line 2related to the delegation of tasks and supervision of veterinary professionals or other personnel, the board shall:
Page 7, Line 3(I) Consult with licensed veterinarians, registered veterinary
Page 7, Line 4technicians, veterinary technician specialists, clients, and other relevant stakeholders, as determined by the board;
andPage 7, Line 5(III) Require that a licensed veterinarian supervise a
Page 7, Line 6veterinary professional associate under either immediate
Page 7, Line 7supervision or direct supervision when the veterinary
Page 7, Line 8professional associate is practicing veterinary medicine, unless
Page 7, Line 9the veterinary professional associate meets the indirect supervision requirements of subsection (9) of this section; and
Page 7, Line 10(IV) Permit a veterinary professional associate to
Page 7, Line 11perform veterinary tasks that do not constitute the practice of
Page 7, Line 12veterinary medicine under indirect supervision if the supervising
Page 7, Line 13licensed veterinarian determines that the veterinary tasks are
Page 7, Line 14within the veterinary professional associate's education and
Page 7, Line 15training and if the licensed veterinarian delegates the
Page 7, Line 16veterinary tasks in accordance with this section and applicable board rules.
Page 7, Line 17(8) A licensed veterinarian shall follow all applicable state and federal law when issuing prescriptions.
Page 7, Line 18(9) A veterinary professional associate may practice
Page 7, Line 19veterinary medicine under indirect supervision if the veterinary
Page 7, Line 20professional associate meets requisite clinical benchmarks,
Page 7, Line 21including performing the practice of veterinary medicine under
Page 8, Line 1the direct or immediate supervision of a licensed veterinarian for a specified amount of hours, as determined by the board.
Page 8, Line 2SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-106, amend
Page 8, Line 3as it will become effective January 1, 2026, (5)(j); and add (10) as follows:
Page 8, Line 412-315-106. Board of veterinary medicine - creation - powers - rules. (5) The board has the power to:
Page 8, Line 5(j) Adopt rules to approve a nationally recognized veterinary
Page 8, Line 6professional associate credentialing organization for purposes of
Page 8, Line 7credentialing veterinary professional associates in this state. The credentialing organization approved by the board
mayPage 8, Line 8(I) Require completion of a university-approved program for veterinary professional associates
andPage 8, Line 9(A) If completed before September 1, 2033, must be approved by the board; or
Page 8, Line 10(B) If completed on or after September, 1, 2033, must be
Page 8, Line 11accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization or equivalent organization, as approved by the board;
Page 8, Line 12(II) Require that an applicant pass a veterinary professional
Page 8, Line 13associate national examination that has been approved by the board; and
Page 8, Line 14(III) Require continuing education for veterinary professional associates.
Page 8, Line 15(10) (a) The board may establish by rule an equivalent
Page 8, Line 16registration pathway for a veterinary technician specialist to register as a veterinary professional associate.
Page 8, Line 17(b) In establishing the equivalent registration pathway, the board:
Page 9, Line 1(I) May consider the experience, education, and training
Page 9, Line 2of a veterinary technician who is designated as a veterinary
Page 9, Line 3technician specialist pursuant to section 12-315-203 (4.5) to be
Page 9, Line 4equivalent to the education requirements for a veterinary
Page 9, Line 5professional associate required by section 12-315-203.7 (2)(a); and
Page 9, Line 6(II) Shall require a veterinary technician specialist to
Page 9, Line 7pass the same national credentialing exam to demonstrate
Page 9, Line 8entry-level competency to practice as a veterinary professional associate, as approved by the board.
Page 9, Line 9SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-110, amend (3)(a)(II)(C) as follows:
Page 9, Line 1012-315-110. License renewal - waiver - rules - continuing
Page 9, Line 11education. (3) (a) (II) The board-approved continuing educational program must:
Page 9, Line 12(C) Require two hours each licensing period on topics related to
Page 9, Line 13the delegation of tasks to and the supervision of veterinary technicians,
Page 9, Line 14veterinary technician specialists, veterinary professional associates, and other personnel.
Page 9, Line 15SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-119, amend (1) as follows:
Page 9, Line 1612-315-119. Veterinary records in custody of animal care
Page 9, Line 17providers - definition - rules. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "animal care provider" means:
Page 9, Line 18(a)
anyPage 9, Line 19veterinary teaching hospital at Colorado state university, that provides veterinary care or treatment to animals; and
Page 10, Line 1(b) A facility where a licensed veterinarian provides veterinary care.
Page 10, Line 2SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-121, amend (3) as follows:
Page 10, Line 312-315-121. Corporate structure for the practice of veterinary
Page 10, Line 4medicine - definitions. (3) (a) (I) The practice of veterinary medicine by
Page 10, Line 5a corporation pursuant to this section must be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
Page 10, Line 6(II) Lay directors, officers, and shareholders of the corporation
Page 10, Line 7shall not exercise any authority whatsoever over the independent medical
Page 10, Line 8judgment of licensed veterinarians performing or supervising the practice of veterinary medicine by or on behalf of the corporation.
Page 10, Line 9(b) A corporation, employer, director, or officer shall
Page 10, Line 10not require a licensed veterinarian to enter into a supervisory
Page 10, Line 11agreement or to supervise a veterinary professional associate as a condition of the veterinarian's continued employment.
Page 10, Line 13SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-201, amend
Page 10, Line 14(1)(d) and (1.5); amend as they will become effective January 1, 2026, (1)(e) and (1)(f); and add (1)(g), (1)(h), (3), and (4) as follows:
Page 10, Line 1512-315-201. Additional board duties - rules - repeal. (1) In
Page 10, Line 16addition to any other duties specified in this part 2 and sections 12-315-105.5 and 12-315-106, the board shall:
Page 10, Line 17(d) Adopt any rules necessary for the delegation of veterinary
Page 10, Line 18tasks to veterinary technicians,
andPage 10, Line 19veterinary professional associates, or other personnel and for the supervision of those delegated tasks by a licensed veterinarian;
Page 11, Line 1(e) Require biennial continuing education for veterinary
Page 11, Line 2professional associates, as
may beandPage 11, Line 3(f) Adopt any rules necessary for determining the scope of practice
and supervision ofPage 11, Line 4(g) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section,
Page 11, Line 5adopt rules to approve a nationally recognized veterinary
Page 11, Line 6professional associate credentialing organization for purposes
Page 11, Line 7of credentialing veterinary professional associates in this state in accordance with section 12-315-106 (5)(j); and
Page 11, Line 8(h) Adopt any rules necessary to allow a veterinary
Page 11, Line 9professional associate to practice veterinary medicine under indirect supervision in accordance with section 12-315-105.5 (9).
Page 11, Line 10(1.5) The board shall not:
Page 11, Line 11(a) Charge a fee for the designation of veterinary
Page 11, Line 12technician specialists in addition to the registration fee charged
Page 11, Line 13
pursuant to section 12-315-123 for the designation of veterinary technician specialistsPage 11, Line 14(b) Increase the amount of the registration fee charged
pursuantPage 11, Line 15
to section 12-315-123Page 11, Line 16technician specialist designation to an amount that is more than the registration fee that is required of other veterinary technicians.
Page 11, Line 17(3) If the board does not approve a veterinary
Page 11, Line 18professional associate credentialing organization for purposes
Page 11, Line 19of credentialing veterinary professional associates in this state
Page 11, Line 20pursuant to section 12-315-106 (5)(j) because there is no
Page 12, Line 1credentialing organization that meets the requirements set
Page 12, Line 2forth in section 12-315-106 (5)(j) or for any other reason, the
Page 12, Line 3board shall establish by rule and administer a credentialing process for veterinary professional associate registration.
Page 12, Line 4(4) The board may establish by rule an equivalent
Page 12, Line 5registration pathway for a veterinary technician specialist to
Page 12, Line 6register as a veterinary professional associate, which pathway
Page 12, Line 7considers the experience, education, and training of a
Page 12, Line 8veterinary technician who is designated as a veterinary
Page 12, Line 9technician specialist pursuant to section 12-315-203 (4.5) to be
Page 12, Line 10equivalent to the education requirements for a veterinary professional associate required by section 12-315-203.7 (2)(a).
Page 12, Line 11SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-315-202 as follows:
Page 12, Line 1212-315-202. Registration required - rules. (1) Effective January
Page 12, Line 131, 2024,
a personPage 12, Line 14in this state must be registered by the board pursuant to this part 2 and rules adopted by the board for the registration of veterinary technicians.
Page 12, Line 15(2) Effective January 1, 2026, an individual who intends to
Page 12, Line 16practice as a veterinary professional associate in this state
Page 12, Line 17must be registered by the board pursuant to this part 2 and
Page 12, Line 18rules adopted by the board for the registration of veterinary professional associates.
Page 12, Line 19SECTION 11. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-203.7,
Page 12, Line 20amend as they will become effective January 1, 2026, (2), (3), and (4)(c); and add (4)(c.5) and (6) as follows:
Page 12, Line 2112-315-203.7. Veterinary professional associate - qualifications
Page 13, Line 1- registration - fees - continuing education - rules. (2) Qualifications.
Page 13, Line 2(a) To be qualified for registration as a veterinary professional associate, an individual must:
Page 13, Line 3
(a)andPage 13, Line 4
(b)Page 13, Line 5(A) If completed before September 1, 2033, must be from a university-approved program that is approved by the board; or
Page 13, Line 6(B) If completed on or after September 1, 2033, must be
Page 13, Line 7from a university-approved program that is accredited by a
Page 13, Line 8nationally recognized accrediting organization or equivalent organization, as approved by the board; and
Page 13, Line 9(III) Pass a national credentialing exam to demonstrate
Page 13, Line 10entry-level competency to practice as a veterinary professional associate, as approved by the board.
Page 13, Line 11(b) An individual who does not meet the qualifications set
Page 13, Line 12forth in subsection (2)(a) of this section may be qualified to register as a veterinary professional associate if the individual:
Page 13, Line 13(I) Is registered as a veterinary technician with a designation as a veterinary technician specialist;
Page 13, Line 14(II) In lieu of the education requirements set forth in
Page 13, Line 15subsection (2)(a)(II) of this section, meets the requirements of the
Page 13, Line 16equivalent registration pathway as established by the board pursuant to section 12-315-106 (10); and
Page 13, Line 17(III) Passes the same national credentialing exam to
Page 13, Line 18demonstrate entry-level competency to practice as a
Page 13, Line 19veterinary professional associate, as approved by the board.
Page 14, Line 1(3) Registration.
CommencingPage 14, Line 2individual who practices as a veterinary professional associate in this state
Page 14, Line 3must be registered by the board pursuant to this section and rules adopted by the board for the registration of veterinary professional associates.
Page 14, Line 4(4) Rules. Prior to registering veterinary professional associates pursuant to this section, the board shall establish, by rule:
Page 14, Line 5(c) Any information or confirmation required by the supervising
Page 14, Line 6licensed veterinarian, including the agreement entered into
Page 14, Line 7between the veterinarian and a veterinary professional associate pursuant to subsection (6) of this section;
Page 14, Line 8(c.5) A registration fee for the registration of veterinary professional associates, which fee shall:
Page 14, Line 9(I) Be paid by an individual applying for registration as a
Page 14, Line 10veterinary professional associate as part of their application; and
Page 14, Line 11(II) Be set at an amount that does not result in the
Page 14, Line 12collection of fees in an aggregate amount that is greater than
Page 14, Line 13the amount of administrative costs incurred by the board in the
Page 14, Line 14implementation of this article 315 related to veterinary professional associates;
Page 14, Line 15(6) (a) Before a veterinary professional associate begins
Page 14, Line 16working with a supervising licensed veterinarian, the
Page 14, Line 17supervising licensed veterinarian and the veterinary
Page 14, Line 18professional associate shall enter into a mutual agreementthat states:
Page 14, Line 19(I) That the supervising licensed veterinarian is
Page 14, Line 20responsible and accountable for the acts and omissions of the
Page 15, Line 1veterinary professional associate in their practice of
Page 15, Line 2veterinary medicine and verifying that the veterinary
Page 15, Line 3professional associate has the competency to practice
Page 15, Line 4veterinary medicine or perform any tasks delegated to them by
Page 15, Line 5the supervising licensed veterinarian related to the practice of veterinary medicine;
Page 15, Line 6(II) That the licensed veterinarian shall supervise no
Page 15, Line 7more than three veterinary professional associates who are
Page 15, Line 8practicing veterinary medicine at any one time and that a
Page 15, Line 9veterinary professional associate and the supervising licensed
Page 15, Line 10veterinarian must be located at the same veterinary premises
Page 15, Line 11while the veterinary professional associate is practicing
Page 15, Line 12veterinary medicine, unless the veterinary professional
Page 15, Line 13associate meets the indirect supervision requirements ofsection 12-315-105.5 (9);
Page 15, Line 14(III) The species for which the veterinary professional
Page 15, Line 15associate has received education and training in the practice of veterinary medicine; and
Page 15, Line 16(IV) The date on which the licensed veterinarian will
Page 15, Line 17begin supervising and working with the veterinary professional associate.
Page 15, Line 18(b) (I) A veterinary professional associate shall enter
Page 15, Line 19into an agreement described in subsection (6)(a) of this section
Page 15, Line 20with every licensed veterinarian that will supervise the
Page 15, Line 21veterinary professional associate in the veterinary professional associate's performance of veterinary medicine.
Page 15, Line 22(II) A supervising licensed veterinarian shall enter into
Page 16, Line 1the agreement described in subsection (6)(a) of this section with
Page 16, Line 2every veterinary professional associate employed at the
Page 16, Line 3veterinary premises that the supervising licensed veterinarian intends to supervise in the practice of veterinary medicine.
Page 16, Line 4(c) The supervising licensed veterinarian and the
Page 16, Line 5veterinary professional associate shall keep a copy of the
Page 16, Line 6agreement described in subsection (6)(a) of this section on file at
Page 16, Line 7the veterinarian's and veterinary professional associate's place of business.
Page 16, Line 8(d) If the supervisory relationship between a supervising
Page 16, Line 9licensed veterinarian and the veterinary professional associate
Page 16, Line 10is terminated for any reason, including termination of
Page 16, Line 11employment of either party or termination of the supervisory
Page 16, Line 12relationship between the parties, the date that the supervisory
Page 16, Line 13relationship concluded shall be recorded and placed on file with the agreement described in subsection (6)(a) of this section.
Page 16, Line 14SECTION 12. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-208, amend
Page 16, Line 15as they will become effective January 1, 2026, (1)(a)(I) introductory portion and (1)(a)(I)(B) as follows:
Page 16, Line 1612-315-208. Examination of registrants - behavioral health -
Page 16, Line 17mental health - physical conditions. (1) (a) (I) If, upon receipt of a
Page 16, Line 18signed complaint by a complainant, the board has reasonable cause to
Page 16, Line 19believe that a veterinary technician or veterinary professional associate is
Page 16, Line 20unable to practice as a veterinary technician or veterinary
Page 16, Line 21professional associate with reasonable skill and safety to patients or
Page 16, Line 22clients due to a physical condition or a behavioral health, mental health,
Page 16, Line 23or substance use disorder, the board may require in writing that the
Page 17, Line 1veterinary technician or veterinary professional associate submit to an examination to evaluate:
Page 17, Line 2(B) Any impact the physical condition or the behavioral health,
Page 17, Line 3mental health, or substance use disorder has on the veterinary technician's
Page 17, Line 4or veterinary professional associate's ability to practice as a veterinary
Page 17, Line 5technician or veterinary professional associate with reasonable skill and safety to patients and clients.
Page 17, Line 6SECTION 13. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-209.7,
Page 17, Line 7amend as they will become effective January 1, 2026, (1), (2), (3) introductory portion, and (4) introductory portion; and add (5) as follows:
Page 17, Line 812-315-209.7. Duties of licensed veterinarian - direction and
Page 17, Line 9supervision of veterinary professional associate - rules. (1) Except as
Page 17, Line 10provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person practicing
Page 17, Line 11veterinary medicine as a veterinary professional associate may perform
Page 17, Line 12duties and actions authorized pursuant to section 12-315-105 (1)(u) that
Page 17, Line 13are within the scope of the veterinary professional associate's
advancedPage 17, Line 14education and experience if the person
performs those dutiesPage 17, Line 15veterinary medicine under the appropriate level of supervision
ofPage 17, Line 16(2) A veterinary professional associate shall perform only those
Page 17, Line 17duties or actions delegated by the licensed supervising veterinarian, with
Page 17, Line 18whom the veterinary professional associate has a signed
Page 17, Line 19agreement in accordance with section 12-315-203.7 (6), for
Page 17, Line 20which the veterinary professional associate has the necessary training,
andPage 17, Line 21experience, and competency, as determined by the supervising veterinarian, to meet generally accepted standards of veterinary care.
Page 17, Line 22(3) If a veterinary professional associate is delegated duties
Page 18, Line 1beyond the veterinary professional associate's training,
andPage 18, Line 2(4) If a veterinary professional associate performs duties beyond
Page 18, Line 3the veterinary professional associate's training,
andPage 18, Line 4competency or does not conform with the requirement to perform all
Page 18, Line 5duties and actions pursuant to section 12-315-105 (1)(u) under the
Page 18, Line 6appropriate level of supervision
ofPage 18, Line 7veterinarian as specified in subsection (1) of this section, the veterinary professional associate may be subject to:
Page 18, Line 8(5) (a) Before a veterinary professional associate engages
Page 18, Line 9in the practice of veterinary medicine on a patient, the
Page 18, Line 10veterinary professional associate shall clearly identify
Page 18, Line 11themself to the client, both visually and verbally, as a
Page 18, Line 12veterinary professional associate. A person that employs a
Page 18, Line 13veterinary professional associate shall identify to a client that
Page 18, Line 14a veterinary professional associate providing care to the client's animal is a veterinary professional associate.
Page 18, Line 15(b) The board may adopt rules regarding how a
Page 18, Line 16veterinary professional associate and a person that employs a
Page 18, Line 17veterinary professional associate must identify the veterinary
Page 18, Line 18professional associate to clients in accordance with subsection(5)(a) of this section.
Page 18, Line 20SECTION 14. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-30-109, amend (2) and (4)(e); and add (4)(f.5) as follows:
Page 18, Line 2112-30-109. Prescriptions - limitations - definition - rules. (2) A
Page 18, Line 22prescriber licensed pursuant to article 315 of this title 12 may prescribe
Page 19, Line 1opioids and benzodiazepines electronically in accordance with section 12-315-305.
Page 19, Line 2(4) As used in this section, "prescriber" means:
(e) A podiatrist licensed pursuant to article 290 of this title 12;
orPage 19, Line 3(f.5) A veterinarian licensed pursuant to article 315 of this title 12; or
Page 19, Line 5SECTION 15. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
Page 19, Line 6takes effect January 1, 2026; except that, if a referendum petition is filed
Page 19, Line 7pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this
Page 19, Line 8act or an item, section, or part of this act within the ninety-day period
Page 19, Line 9after final adjournment of the general assembly, then the act, item,
Page 19, Line 10section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the
Page 19, Line 11general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take
Page 19, Line 12effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.