Proposition 129, addressing Colorado veterinarian shortage, has Colorado, national groups at odds Watch the video here.

Now that Colorado voters have received their ballots, they may pause at Proposition 129 and wonder what it entails and how to vote. As Colorado shelter veterinarians, we stand united in our strong opposition to Proposition 129 and encourage Coloradans to vote ‘no.’ If passed, Prop. 129 will dangerously alter the quality of care your […]

Veterinarians in Colorado are clashing over Proposition 129, a state ballot measure that would create a first-in-the-nation mid-level role between veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Why it matters: Colorado voters will have the final say on a contentious issue that industry experts can’t agree on. The big picture: If approved, the measure would change Colorado law […]

I am writing to request Colorado voters vote no on Proposition 129. As a veterinarian, I took an oath to use my knowledge and skills for the Click here to view the full article.

Who sees your pet at the veterinarian clinic could change in the future if voters approve Proposition 129 this fall. In response, Colorado’s licensed veterinarians and veterinarian technicians have come out against the measure, saying that it could lead to underqualified and inadequately trained individuals performing animal surgeries. “This isn’t going to have the outcomes […]

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 […]

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” […]

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 […]

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.

AVMA Past President Dr Rena Carlson on her opposition to Proposition 129 Listen to the segment.

Proposition 129 aims to create a new mid-level veterinary position called a veterinary professional associate (VPA.)

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 […]