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Committee unanimously sends bill to remove statutory cap on CSU veterinary enrollment to full House
Summary
House Bill 25‑11‑31 would remove an outdated statutory cap on the number of students admitted to Colorado State University’s veterinary program and modernize fee‑setting rules; the committee gave the bill a favorable recommendation by unanimous vote and it advances to the Committee of the Whole.
Representative Basinghecker (bill sponsor) told the House Education Committee that HB25‑11‑31 would lift a 1970s enrollment cap on Colorado State University’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and align fee authority with the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. "This is a common‑sense policy," the sponsor said, arguing the cap is outdated given an expansion of CSU’s veterinary hospital.
Why it matters: Committee members and witnesses said Colorado faces a shortage of veterinarians, particularly in rural areas, and increasing CSU’s capacity is one tool to address workforce gaps in animal health, public health and agriculture.
Witnesses and points made - Jay Burrow, associate director of government relations for the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, told the committee the change would benefit family farmers and ranchers by increasing access to veterinary care in rural areas and urged lawmakers to vote yes. "By eliminating the enrollment cap, CSU will be able to increase the number of veterinary graduates thereby increasing the availability of veterinary services statewide," Burrow said. - Sue Vanderwedt, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University, said the college admitted about 30% of students from rural areas and expects to add 30 students per class beginning in 2026 when a new veterinary health and education complex opens. The dean said the facility was on time and under budget and that the college received $50,000,000 from the General Assembly last session to complete it.
Committee action and vote - Rep. Johnson moved a favorable recommendation to the Committee of the Whole; the motion carried unanimously. During roll call the committee recorded all yes votes and the chair announced the bill "passes unanimously." The bill will go to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration.
Implementation details and clarifications - Enrollment growth: Vanderwedt said the new facility and curriculum will enable CSU to admit about 30 additional students per class starting in 2026. - Fee authority: The bill would modernize a statutory fee provision so the CSU Board of Governors can set fees for the DVM program in line with Commission on Higher Education policy. Witnesses said no immediate fee increase was anticipated; tuition adjustments have been used instead.
Ending: The committee gave HB25‑11‑31 a favorable recommendation to the Committee of the Whole by a unanimous vote; sponsors emphasized workforce and rural‑health benefits.
