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ColoradoHB25-12852025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Veterinary Workforce Requirements

Sponsored By: Byron Pelton (Republican), Cathy Kipp (Democratic), Dusty Johnson (Republican), Karen McCormick (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Health Care & Health InsuranceProfessions & Occupations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

New veterinary career path with entry requirements

Beginning January 1, 2026, Colorado requires registration to practice as a veterinary professional associate. Applicants must be at least 18, hold a qualifying master’s degree in veterinary clinical care or equivalent, and pass a board-approved national exam. Veterinary technician specialists can use an alternative based on experience, education, and training when board rules provide one. Programs completed before September 1, 2033, need board approval; later programs need nationally recognized accreditation or a board-approved equivalent. The board must approve a nationally recognized credentialing organization requiring qualifying education, an exam, and continuing education, or run the credentialing process itself.

Veterinarians can send controlled prescriptions electronically

Beginning January 1, 2026, Colorado-licensed veterinarians can prescribe opioids and benzodiazepines electronically under veterinary-practice rules. They must follow applicable state and federal prescription laws. The law does not set a household payment or benefit amount.

Veterinary records rules cover more facilities

Beginning January 1, 2026, Colorado’s veterinary records rules cover a broader range of animal care facilities. Covered sites include veterinary practices and hospitals, Colorado State University’s veterinary teaching hospital, and any facility where a licensed veterinarian provides care.

Veterinary associates pay fees and keep learning

Beginning January 1, 2026, veterinary professional associate applicants must pay a fee with their registration application. The board sets the amount, but total related fees cannot exceed its administrative costs for the associate program. The law does not set a dollar amount. Associates must also complete continuing education every two years to renew registration. The board sets the education rules; the law does not specify required hours.

Veterinarians gain choice but need training

Beginning January 1, 2026, employers, corporations, directors, and officers cannot require associate supervision as a condition of a veterinarian’s job. Corporate practice rules also protect veterinarians’ independent medical judgment from control by non-veterinarian directors. Veterinarians completing the board-approved continuing-education program must take two hours each licensing period on delegation and supervision. That training covers veterinary technicians, specialists, associates, and other personnel. The law provides no separate training fee or reimbursement.

Veterinary associates face identification and safety checks

Beginning January 1, 2026, associates must wear clear identification spelling out “veterinary professional associate” without abbreviations. Before treating an animal, they must introduce themselves to the client as a registered veterinary professional associate. The board can order a fitness examination only after receiving a signed complaint and finding reasonable cause to believe safe practice is impaired. The concern must involve a physical condition or a behavioral health, mental health, or substance use disorder. Associates must submit to ordered exams; the law also permits discipline for impairment, improper delegation, or failure to follow supervision agreements.

Veterinary associates can practice under supervision

Beginning January 1, 2026, veterinarians can delegate animal care in writing to registered veterinary professional associates. Associates may work only with species they are trained for, within their education, experience, skills, and board-set scope. Before work starts, the veterinarian must establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship, and each supervising veterinarian and employer must sign the required agreement. The agreement verifies skills, lists covered species, and makes the supervising veterinarian responsible for the associate’s acts and omissions. A veterinarian can supervise no more than three practicing associates at once; they must share a location unless board-set indirect-supervision requirements, including prior directly or immediately supervised experience, are met.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Byron Pelton

    Republican • Senate

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dusty Johnson

    Republican • House

  • Karen McCormick

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Valdez

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Titone

    Democratic • House

  • Eliza Hamrick

    Democratic • House

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Javier Mabrey

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Jacque Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Katie Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Lorena Garcia

    Democratic • House

  • Lesley Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Regina English

    Democratic • House

  • Rep. S. Bird

    Affiliation unavailable

  • William Lindstedt

    Democratic • Senate

  • Cleave Simpson

    Republican • Senate

  • Dylan Roberts

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jeff Bridges

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marc Catlin

    Republican • Senate

  • Marc Snyder

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rod Pelton

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 200 • No: 40

House vote • 4/11/2025

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 50 • No: 11

House vote • 4/11/2025

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 50 • No: 11

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 32 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1285 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 3/26/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 50 • No: 15

House vote • 3/10/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1285, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 11 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    5/30/2025House

  2. Sent to the Governor

    4/30/2025House

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    4/29/2025House

  4. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/29/2025Senate

  5. House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass

    4/11/2025House

  6. House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily

    4/10/2025House

  7. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/9/2025Senate

  8. Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor

    4/8/2025Senate

  9. Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/3/2025Senate

  10. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources

    3/31/2025Senate

  11. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/26/2025House

  12. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

    3/25/2025House

  13. House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    3/13/2025House

  14. House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    3/10/2025House

  15. Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources

    2/24/2025House

Bill Text

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