On Election Day, voters decide important races and issues across Colorado. One of them is an unprecedented statewide ballot measure – Proposition 129. The proposal, if passed, would transform veterinary care in Colorado.

Proponents say Proposition 129 would alleviate the shortage of veterinarians but opponents say it would be dangerous for pets.

If passed, Proposition 129 would create a new profession not previously seen anywhere in the country, CBS News Colorado political reporter Shaun Boyd reported. It would be called a veterinary assistant. Proponents say a VPA is similar to a physician assistant in human medicine. However, there are some big differences, as Boyd reports, to become a PA you need:

– At least three years of graduate school
– 2,000 hours of practical clinical practice

Based on a suggestion from Colorado State University, as a VPA you would need:

– Three semesters of online lessons
– Two semesters of clinical work

The other big difference, Boyd says, is that PAs can't perform surgery. A VPA could. And a VPA could do almost everything a veterinarian does, except prescribe medication. To accomplish this would require an act of Congress. (Federal law allows only licensed veterinarians to write prescriptions.

Proponents argue VPAs can provide standard prescriptions for common ailments, but Boyd reports that this does not address the unintended problems that arise during surgery and could require medication.

While the ballot bill states that VPAs would work under the supervision of a veterinarian, it does not say whether it would be in-person supervision.

More than a dozen veterinary offices and organizations oppose Proposition 129. The Dumb Friends League and several animal welfare organizations have advocated for it.

In response to concerns about a veterinary shortage, Boyd offers the following facts for consideration:

1. Veterinary schools are expected to train 20% more veterinarians in the next five years. That's probably how long it would take to train a class of 25 people to become VPAs.
2. Two new Colorado laws take effect in January that would expand telemedicine visits (HB 24-1048) and expand the scope of practice for veterinary technicians (HB 24-1047). Veterinary technicians are similar to VPAs.

The need for veterinarians is greatest for farm animals. Under the proposal, VPAs would not be able to work with farm animals.

Surveys show that the biggest barrier to veterinary care is not access, but cost. Boyd reports that there is no reliable independent data showing that Proposition 129 would reduce costs.