House votes to remove statutory cap on Colorado State University veterinary program admissions

The Colorado House on Tuesday passed House Bill 11-31, which removes a statutory cap on the number of students Colorado State University may admit to its veterinary medicine program.

Supporters said the change addresses a cap established in the 1970s that no longer reflects demand. Representative Bri Basenecker, a prime sponsor, said the program is "a nationally top ranked institution" and that the bill removes an outmoded limit so CSU can admit more students to meet statewide needs. Co-prime sponsor Representative Susan Johnson said the change would help both small and large animal veterinary access and would support rural agricultural communities.

The bill was backed on the floor by Representatives who highlighted shortages of veterinarians in parts of the state. Representative Kevin McCormack, who identified himself in the chamber as a licensed veterinarian, said the state needs more graduates from CSU's veterinary school to increase access and improve diagnoses across Colorado. Representative Emma Winter said constituents in parts of her district currently lack any veterinarian.

The bill passed on the floor after no further discussion. Sponsors noted the bill had emerged from committee with a unanimous vote.

House leaders ordered the bill to second reading and later reported the Committee of the Whole recommending passage. The committee report was adopted later in the day.

Implementation details such as the specific statutory citation for the cap and any timeline for implementation were not specified in the floor discussion.