Proposition 129, which would transform veterinary care in Colorado, gets a Reality Check
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Paid for by Keep Our Pets Safe.
Katie Kennedy Registered Agent.
Denver Gazette endorsements: 2024 ballot
Proposition 129. Vote NO. The proposal has the arguably laudable intent of providing more options for pet owners seeking veterinary care. But this measure goes about it the wrong way. It asks voters to go way beyond their depth and credential a new kind of veterinary professional. That’s an undertaking that should be left to veterinary schools, state regulators and the veterinary profession. Such proposals don’t belong on the ballot in the first place.
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Our view: ‘No’ to Prop 129 for the sake of our pets
Dear readers of the opinion pages, Because of several thoughtful commentaries about Proposition 129 that have crossed our desks, the editorial board is reversing its position on the creation of a new level of professional veterinarian. Here is its current thinking.
The professionals who care for animals are either registered veterinary technicians, registered veterinary technical specialists or licensed veterinarians depending on educational levels and responsibilities.
Proposition 129 on the November ballot, which the Herald’s editorial board opposes, would create an additional category, veterinary professional associate.
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Vets say ‘no’ on prop 129, that it will not help rural vet shortage
As veterinarians who have spent our careers devoted to the health and welfare of pets and livestock in rural Colorado communities, we are alarmed at Proposition 129 on this November’s Colorado election ballot.
This proposition would create an unnecessary and potentially dangerous new role called a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) – a sort of “quasi-veterinarian” with much less training and experience than actual Doctors of Veterinary Medicine.
Under Proposition 129, a VPA’s training would be mostly online with minimal hands-on instruction, yet these individuals would be allowed to diagnose illness and perform surgery, among other critical tasks. There’s a reason this job does not exist anywhere in the United States – it’s a bad idea.
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These statewide ballot issues get a ‘hard no’ from us for various reasons
Proposition 129: Establishing veterinary professional associates.
Similar to the ban on mountain lion hunting, our immediate reaction to this proposition is why are ordinary Coloradans being tasked with deciding a complex question on a subject they know little about?
This is a question best left to professionals in the field. The Western Slope veterinarians we spoke to oppose it, saying it won’t address worker shortages and that they have no interest in adding this position to their payrolls on liability concerns.
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Friday letters: 2A, Proposition 127, Proposition 129, county commission and more election items
Mr. Ashe’s television commercial supporting Prop. 127 decries the thousands of dollars of out of state money coming in from hunters wanting to hunt lions. Ironically, Prop. 127 itself is funded primarily by out of state moneys from organizations intent on limiting or ending hunting altogether. Of the top 5 contributors to the proponents of Prop. 127, only one comes from Colorado.
Ballot box biology tries to make the voter an armchair biologist. With most voters too busy to research claims, these outfits prey on our ‘heartstrings’, ignoring all the facets and potential unintended consequences of their own legislation. I’m voting NO on Prop. 127.
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Opinion: There are Colorado veterinarians worried about Proposition 129. Here is why I’m one of them.
I can no longer stay quiet as the Denver Dumb Friends League (DDFL), an organization I once proudly served, champions a proposal that puts the animals that veterinarians are sworn to protect in harm’s way. DDFL is backing Proposition 129 — a measure that would allow underqualified and inadequately trained individuals to perform medical procedures that should be left in the hands of fully licensed veterinarians.
This isn’t just bad policy — it’s a dangerous gamble with the health of our pets and is unlikely to benefit pet owners in the ways supporters claim. As someone who is dedicating their life to animal welfare, I must speak out.
I worked as a veterinarian at DDFL for almost three years with around 15 to 20 other fully licensed veterinarians who DDFL keeps on staff. For two years, I sat in multiple meetings at DDFL concerning the proposal that became Proposition 129. My colleagues and I raised serious concerns about the proposal, including how individuals with so little hands-on training could be trusted with such high-stakes procedures and responsibilities. But our concerns were brushed aside in favor of expediency. Now, with Proposition 129 on the ballot, it is clear that our concerns were never taken seriously.
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What one ballot measure means for your pets and vet bills
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Colorado‘s ballot for November’s election is packed with propositions and amendments, and one of those aims to make a decision regarding the care your pets receive at the veterinarian’s office.
Proposition 129 asks voters to approve establishing a new profession within vet offices. Veterinary Professional Associates, or VPAs, would serve as a mid-level professional in the current environment. Right now, only two job titles allow a person to give medical attention to animals. Those are Veterinary Technicians who are required to have two years education, and Doctors of Veterinary Medicine who are required to have at least eight years of education.
Proponents tried to establish the VPA role through state legislation in recent years, but the bill was shot down.
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Proposition 129 is pivotal moment for veterinary medicine
This November, Coloradans will vote on a ballot measure stakeholders say could alter the future of veterinary medicine.
Proposition 129, the Veterinary Professional Associate Initiative, has sparked intense debate among veterinarians and animal welfare organizations around the state.
The measure aims to create a veterinary professional associate role and allow VPAs to practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. While supporters argue the measure could mitigate the veterinary shortage facing Colorado, opponents say the quality of veterinary care and animal safety could be at risk.
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AVMA Past President Dr Rena Carlson on her opposition to Proposition 129
AVMA Past President Dr Rena Carlson on her opposition to Proposition 129
Listen to the segment.