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HomeProposition 129: Yes/No

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BALLOT MEASURE SUMMARY

Proposition 129 is a citizen initiative that would amend the Colorado statutes to create the new regulated position of “veterinary professional associate,” requiring a master’s degree and registration with the state board of veterinary medicine. This would be a mid-level position between a veterinary technician (vet tech) or veterinary technician specialist, and a veterinarian.

An accredited vet tech degree program requires two to four years. A veterinary technician specialist is a vet tech with additional experience, continuing education, and exams in a specialty such as anesthesia. A veterinarian must have graduated from a school of veterinary medicine, generally a four-year doctoral degree.

BACKGROUND

The Coalition for the Veterinary Professional Associates (CVPA) is lobbying for and supporting creating a new mid-tier veterinary provider, saying there is a national veterinary provider shortage affecting companion animals, the agriculture industry, and our food supply.

CVPA committees are working on developing standards, certification, and accreditation.

WHAT IT DOES

Creates a new mid-level regulated profession of veterinary associate — between a vet technician who has a two-year associate’s degree and a veterinarian who has eight or more years of education — called a veterinary professional associate (VPA).

VPA’s would be people with Master’s degrees in veterinary care working under under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Updated 10/17/2024

A YES VOTE

Establishes the new regulated profession of veterinary professional associate as a provider of veterinary care, alongside veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary technician specialists.

A NO VOTE

Allows only veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and 17 veterinary technician specialists to be regulated providers of veterinary care in 19 Colorado.

BALLOT TITLE

STATE STATUTORY REFERRED MEASURES AND CITIZEN INITIATIVES

Proposition 129 Establishing Veterinary Professional Associates (Establish Qualifications and Registration for Veterinary Professional Associate

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?

State Board workload will increase to adopt rules, but spending is expected to be minimal.

Once a population of VPAs exists, state spending will increase for oversight and enforcement and state revenue will increase in equal amounts from registration fees charged to associates.

NO FISCAL NOTE

WHERE THE LEAGUE STANDS

LWVCO Action and Advocacy Team has provided their stances on the Colorado statewide ballot measures to promote informed voter participation. The League has studied both sides of a wide range of policy issues over its over 100-year history.

Based on the findings, the League has taken a stand on this year's ballot measures.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHERE THE LEAGUE STANDS

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