By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics
Advocates argue that a bill establishing implementation procedures for the newly created veterinary professional associate position includes provisions that contradict the intent of what Colorado voters approved in Proposition 129 in November.
House Bill 1285, sponsored by Reps. Karen McCormick, D-Hygiene, and Sens. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, and Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, tasks Colorado’s Board of Veterinary Medicine with adopting rules regarding the education, accreditation, and scope of practice for veterinary professional associates. This is a first-of-its-kind position established through Proposition 129, which passed with nearly 53% of the vote in last year’s election.
The bill passed in an 11-1 vote, with Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, in opposition.
Veterinary professional associates, or VPAs, aim to bridge the gap between veterinary technicians and doctors of veterinary medicine. They would require a master’s degree in veterinary clinical care—more training than a technician with an associate’s degree but less than the eight or more years needed to become a veterinarian. According to the proposition, veterinary professional associates, or VPAs, could make diagnoses, perform certain surgeries, and order and conduct tests and procedures.