Animal care groups disagree over whether creating a veterinary associates role will help or hurt industry practices in Colorado. Click here to view the full article.

For 40 years as a veterinarian, compassionate animal care has been my calling. As a state representative, we have explored the idea of a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA), in Proposition 129, for three years. After hundreds of hours researching, listening to experts, veterinary economists, the FDA, the USDA, universities, accreditation teams, veterinary liability providers, professional […]

Dear Editor: In the upcoming election next month there is ballot measure to create a “mid-level veterinary practitioner” in the State of Colorado. This measure is almost uniformly opposed by veterinarians across the state and country including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Colorado VMA, the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association, the American College of Veterinary […]

For more than 40 years, I have committed my life to veterinary medicine, having served on the faculties of leading universities and practicing as an equine veterinarian across the country. Since receiving my doctorate in veterinary medicine from Colorado State University in 1978, I’ve seen the critical importance of rigorous education, extensive hands-on experience and […]

Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Dist. 11, said the frustrating thing about the possibility of the veterinary professional associate or VPA being created via ballot proposal is the lack of research and expertise at play. If passed, Colorado Proposition 129 would allow non-veterinarians to diagnose, prognose, recommend treatment plans and perform surgeries. The measure is vehemently opposed […]

As a veterinarian serving equine patients and their owners across Colorado, I have a unique perspective on the dangers posed by Proposition 129, and I feel compelled to speak out about the serious risks it presents to the health and safety of animals across our state.

This election season voters are being asked to make laws governing wildlife management, the state budget, and occupational licensure. Don’t we pay people to do this work? Turns out we do! Colorado legislators earn an average of $42,738 a year to pour over information about the costs and benefits of proposed laws, hear from stakeholders, […]

There is a veterinary care ballot question going before voters in November, backed by Gov. Jared Polis and Heidi Ganahl. It is, once again, a perfect illustration of why Colorado’s citizen-led ballot proposal question must be remedied. Rep. Karen McCormick, a retired veterinarian, brought forward HB24-1048 Providing Veterinary Services Through Telehealth and HB24-1047 Veterinary Technician […]