12-315-102. Legislative declaration

12-315-102. Legislative declaration. [Editor's note: This version of this section is effective January 1, 2026.]

(1) This article 315 is enacted as an exercise of the police powers of the state to promote the public health, safety, and welfare by safeguarding the people of this state against incompetent, dishonest, or unprincipled practitioners of veterinary medicine. It is hereby declared that the practice of veterinary medicine is a privilege conferred upon persons possessed of the personal and professional qualifications specified in this article 315.

(2) The people of the state of Colorado declare that:

(a) There is a critical veterinary workforce shortage impacting the animals of Colorado;

(b) The veterinary workforce shortage is causing an access-to-veterinary-care crisis in Colorado;

(c) The access-to-veterinary-care crisis is threatening the welfare of companion animals, the livelihood of members of Colorado's animal agriculture industry, and the safety of our food supply;

(d) The veterinary workforce shortage and access-to-veterinary-care crisis cannot be solved without seeking new ways to bring additional people into the veterinary workforce; and

(e) Experts in veterinary medicine have identified a mid-level veterinary practitioner career pathway as one solution to the veterinary workforce shortage and access-to-veterinary-care crisis.