# C.R.S. § 12-315-102: 12-315-102. Legislative declaration

> Colorado · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-102

## Section

- **Citation:** C.R.S. § 12-315-102
- **Heading:** 12-315-102. Legislative declaration
- **Jurisdiction:** Colorado
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** CO Code / Title 12 / Article 315 / Part 1 / Section 12-315-102

## Text

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.

## Nearby sections

- [C.R.S. § 12-315-101 12-315-101. Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-101.md)
- [C.R.S. § 12-315-102 12-315-102. Legislative declaration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-102.md)
- [C.R.S. § 12-315-103 12-315-103. Applicability of common provisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-103.md)
- [C.R.S. § 12-315-104 12-315-104. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-104.md)
- [C.R.S. § 12-315-105 12-315-105. License requirements and exceptions - definitions - rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-105.md)
- [C.R.S. § 12-315-105.5 12-315-105.5. Delegation to and supervision of veterinary technicians, veterinary technician s](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-105.5.md)
- [C.R.S. § 12-315-106 12-315-106. Board of veterinary medicine - creation - powers - rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-106.md)
- [C.R.S. § 12-315-107 12-315-107. Application for license - qualifications - rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-107.md)
- [C.R.S. § 12-315-108 12-315-108. Academic license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-108.md)
- [C.R.S. § 12-315-109 12-315-109. License by endorsement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-109.md)
- [C.R.S. § 12-315-110 12-315-110. License renewal - waiver - rules - continuing education](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-110.md)
- [C.R.S. § 12-315-111 12-315-111. Inactive license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-111.md)
- [C.R.S. § 12-315-112 12-315-112. Discipline of licensees - definition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-112.md)
- [C.R.S. § 12-315-113 12-315-113. Hearing procedure - judicial review](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-113.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A315_P1_S12-315-102. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.