Proposition 129 – Establishing Veterinary Professional Associates

The Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine currently regulates three licensed professionals: veterinarians, veterinarian technicians (vet tech), and veterinarian technician specialists. Prop 129 proposes creating a veterinary professional associate (VPA). The scope of tasks that a VPA would be allowed to perform would be determined later by the CO State Board of Veterinary Medicine.

The proponents claim that all VPAs would have “received comprehensive and robust training while earning a master’s degree.” Opponents claim that VPAs’ “training would be mostly online with minimal hands-on instruction. … VPAs [could] practice veterinary medicine, including performing surgery after only a one-semester internship.”

Recommendation: No

The argument for creating a new position is to provide more and better care for animals. A more certain way for animals to get more and better care is to adequately train and pay vet professionals. Prop 129 appears to be a way to undertrain and underpay a new group of vet professionals to the detriment of animal patients.

The state legislature tried to address the lack of veterinary care in some geographic areas by passing nearly unanimously House Bill 24-1048 Providing Veterinary Services Through Telehealth. The veterinarian and the animal patient must have an established veterinarian-client relationship before telehealth services can be rendered. The primary sponsor of HB24-1048 is veterinarian and State Rep Karen McCormick who is strongly opposed to Prop 129.

Website for the Yes Side (All Pets Deserve Vet Care)
https://allpetsdeservevetcare.com/

Website for the No Side (Keep Our Pets Safe)
https://keepourpetssafe.com/


Approved Ballot Language
Proposition 129 (STATUTORY)

Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes creating a new veterinary professional associate profession, and, in connection therewith, establishing qualifications including a master’s degree in veterinary clinical care or the equivalent as determined by the state board of veterinary medicine to be a veterinary professional associate; requiring registration with the state board; allowing a registered veterinary professional associate to practice veterinary medicine under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian; and making it a misdemeanor to practice as a veterinary professional associate without an active registration?

YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___

Prop 129 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2023-2024/145Final.pdf