ColoradoHB26-11982026 Regular SessionHouse

Access to Veterinary Care

Sponsored By: Karen McCormick (Democratic), Lisa Cutter (Democratic), Rod Pelton (Republican), Ty Winter (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Free Donated Prescription Drugs for Animals

Beginning January 1, 2027, owners can donate unused animal prescription drugs to licensed veterinarians or qualifying shelters. A veterinarian can reissue an accepted drug free after finding the owner eligible and the drug suitable. Drugs must have been dispensed by a licensed veterinarian or pharmacist; controlled, compounded, expired, and drugs requiring refrigeration before opening are excluded. Liquid drugs must be in unopened vials or unopened single-dose ampules. Packaging must show the expiration date, and identifying information must be removed before reissue. Veterinarians must keep donated drugs separate from other stock and keep donation records. Drugs cannot be reissued for food-producing animals or animals ordinarily eaten by animals raised for human food. Participants using reasonable care and following the law and rules receive protection from civil liability, criminal liability, and professional-board discipline for resulting harm. Manufacturers also receive civil and criminal liability protection for claims tied to donations or later handling. Suitable donated drugs are not guaranteed to be available. A filed referendum delays the start until the governor declares the election result, if that happens after January 1, 2027.

More In-Office Drug Access for Animals

Beginning January 1, 2027, veterinarians can provide needed compounded drugs from office stock when a registered pharmacy cannot supply them in time. The law removes the former emergency-only rule and five-day limit. The amount cannot exceed what the animal's condition requires, and a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship is required. Veterinarians' lawful prescribing, administering, distributing, and dispensing are not pharmacy practice; the pharmacy board cannot discipline them solely for those activities. The veterinary board oversees these activities and can set drug-safety and recordkeeping rules. A filed referendum delays the start until the governor declares the election result, if that happens after January 1, 2027.

Broader Training Standard for Veterinary Technicians

Beginning January 1, 2027, Colorado's board-approved veterinary technician credentialing organization must require completion of an accredited veterinary technician program. The law removes the requirement that accreditation come specifically from the American Veterinary Medical Association. This opens the standard to other accreditation, but the law names no newly qualifying programs. A filed referendum delays the start until the governor declares the election result, if that happens after January 1, 2027.

Streamlined Colorado Licensing for Qualifying Veterinarians

Beginning January 1, 2027, Colorado's veterinary board must update its license-by-endorsement process and adopt rules to speed it up. This pathway applies to applicants who meet the state's occupational credential portability requirements. The rules can remove duplicate requirements or simplify the process, but no specific processing time is guaranteed. A filed referendum delays the start until the governor declares the election result, if that happens after January 1, 2027.

Broader Drug Authority for Animal Shelters

Beginning January 1, 2027, registered animal shelters and animal control agencies can buy, possess, and administer certain animal-handling drugs. These include drugs for chemical capture and for sedation or immobilization immediately before euthanasia. The authority is no longer limited to pet animals. People administering scheduled controlled substances or specified euthanasia drugs must demonstrate knowledge of drug hazards and proper administration. The veterinary board can set training standards and protocols and suspend or revoke registrations for unqualified drug administration. A filed referendum delays the start until the governor declares the election result, if that happens after January 1, 2027.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Ava Flanell
Republican • House
Alex Valdez
Democratic • House
Bob Marshall
Democratic • House
Carlos Barron
Republican • House
Chad Clifford
Democratic • House
Chris Richardson
Republican • House
Dusty Johnson
Republican • House
Eliza Hamrick
Democratic • House
Jennifer Bacon
Democratic • House
Jarvis Caldwell
Republican • House
Julie McCluskie
Democratic • House
Kyle Brown
Democratic • House
Kenny Nguyen
Democratic • House
Katie Stewart
Democratic • House
Lori Goldstein
Democratic • House
Lesley Smith
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Meghan Lukens
Democratic • House
Ryan Gonzalez
Republican • House
Rebecca Keltie
Republican • House
Ron Weinberg
Republican • House
Sheila Lieder
Democratic • House
Steven Woodrow
Democratic • House
Barbara Kirkmeyer
Republican • Senate
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Dylan Roberts
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Frizell
Republican • Senate
Larry Liston
Republican • Senate
Marc Catlin
Republican • Senate
Mike Weissman
Democratic • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 241 • No: 2

House vote • 4/2/2026

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 63 • No: 0

House vote • 4/2/2026

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 61 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/25/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1198, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 3/9/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 62 • No: 0

House vote • 3/2/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1198, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 13 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Governor Signed
4/29/2026House
Sent to the Governor
4/23/2026House
Signed by the Speaker of the House
4/22/2026House
Signed by the President of the Senate
4/22/2026Senate
House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
4/2/2026House
House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily
4/1/2026House
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
3/31/2026Senate
Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee
3/30/2026Senate
Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
3/25/2026Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources
3/12/2026Senate
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
3/9/2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
3/6/2026House
House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
3/5/2026House
House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
3/2/2026House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources
2/11/2026House

Bill Text

Engrossed
PDF
Final Act
PDF
House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Preamend
PDF
Introduced
PDF
Reengrossed
PDF
Rerevised
PDF
Revised
PDF
Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Preamend
PDF
Signed Act
PDF

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