House adopts law to implement veterinary professional associate created by Prop. 129

DENVER — The Colorado House on March 25 approved House Bill 12‑85 to establish statutory structure supporting the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role created by voters in Proposition 129.

Sponsors said the bill does not dictate the VPA scope of practice — that remains the responsibility of the state board of veterinary medicine — but instead ensures the board, Colorado State University and employers have clear statutory authority to implement the new mid‑level credential on a timely basis. Representative Heather McCormick, the bill’s sponsor, said the statute is needed now so rules and curricula can be finalized before the first cohort graduates and so employers know what training and supervision pathways will look like.

Key components adopted on the floor include allowing the board to set the pathway to indirect supervision for a VPA (including how many supervised hours are required), removal of specific statutory language about veterinarian‑client‑patient relationship from the bill (delegated instead to the board), and other technical amendments to align the statute with prior revisions to the veterinary practice act.

Floor discussion referenced Colorado State University’s role in developing the VPA master’s program and emphasized that the measure aims to give the board sufficient tools and clarity before rules take effect; the transcript identifies a rule‑completion deadline of January 2026. Some members who opposed the measure noted they preferred reliance on the university and the board without additional statutory language; sponsors said the bill reflects extensive stakeholder negotiation and does not conflict with the voters’ directive.

House Bill 12‑85 passed as amended; the transcript does not record a formal roll‑call tally for the final passage.