We disagree with Governor Jared Polis. Not only is there no requirement for a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA), but the proposed VPA also endangers the health and safety of pets and other animals in Colorado.

There is no “gap” in veterinary services. The proposed VPA duplicates the work that veterinarians and veterinary technicians already do. Veterinarians diagnose, prognosis, develop treatment plans, prescribe and perform surgeries. Veterinary technicians can do everything else. In fact, Colorado recently passed a law that helps veterinarians delegate related tasks to their veterinary technicians and expands their role. The VPA role, if approved by Proposition 129, would place undertrained individuals with master's degrees, mostly earned online, in medical decision-making roles and allow them to perform operations that endanger the safety of Colorado's animals and the future of veterinary care .

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As the impact of the pandemic subsides, the number of new clients, new patients and total visits to veterinary practices are decreasing. Additionally, most veterinary schools have increased class sizes and at least 12 new programs are in development. Not only is it likely that the number of veterinarians will be enough to meet demand through the 2030s, but some experts also suggest we could face an oversupply. Gaps in certain areas of practice require targeted solutions. A veterinarian whose passion is dogs and cats will not suddenly shift that passion to cattle.

Speaking of gaps, Prop 129 does not address the needs of rural veterinary services in Colorado. Not only is the proposed curriculum for a VPA woefully inadequate – posing health and safety risks to Colorado's pets – but training VPAs to care for dogs and cats does not prepare them to care for horses or food animals, whose anatomy, physiology and health status vary greatly. The legal requirements for the treatment of these animals also vary. Under state and federal regulations, a VPA would not be able to issue health certificates or perform required disease testing, significantly limiting its usefulness in rural areas.

Finally, there is a lack of evidence to support the idea that a VPA would reduce costs. Inadequate training increases the likelihood of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment, resulting in repeat visits and increased costs for pet owners. Even if a VPA could reduce labor costs, there is no guarantee that these savings will reach customers.

Governor Polis' support for Prop 129 ignores critical details. Don’t be misled – vote NO on Prop 129!

Diane Matt

Executive Director, Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)

Dr. Janet Donlin

Executive Director of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

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