0

Veterinary HOME

Welcome to the State Board of Veterinary Medicine Homepage

The State Board of Veterinary Medicine regulates and licenses/registers veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the State of Colorado. 

The Board's mission is to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the people and animals of Colorado by establishing and enforcing professional standards through the development and maintenance of rules and policies to ensure that only qualified persons are licensed/registered to provide veterinary care and that violators of the laws and rules regulating veterinary medicine are sanctioned as appropriate.

Board activities include licensing and registering veterinarians and veterinary technicians, investigating complaints about the licensed/registered and unlicensed/unregistered practice of veterinary medicine, disciplining violators of the law and/or Board's Rules, and making, amending, and adopting reasonable rules and regulations that govern the conduct of veterinarians and veterinary technicians. The Board is made up of nine members: five veterinarians, two veterinary technicians (starting in 2023) and two public members.

Proposition 129: Establishing Veterinary Professional Associates was passed by Colorado voters on November 5, 2024. The State Board of Veterinary Medicine is currently working to implement this law, which becomes effective January 1, 2026. The next step in the implementation process is rulemaking. To sign up for rulemaking notifications, visit the Rulemaking Notification Sign Up Page.

For more information on Proposition 129, please visit the Veterinary Professional Associates page.

Program Information

Program/Board Members

Karen Phelan, Program Director

State Board of Veterinary Medicine
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202

Phone: 303-894-7800  |  Fax: 303-894-7764  |  Email: dora_veterinarymedicineboard@state.co.us

Regulation History:

  • 1907: The Colorado Veterinary Board is created. In 2022, Veterinary Technicians become regulated.

To learn more about the Division History please review the Regulation Dates By Profession pamphlet.

Board Members:

  • Carolyn E. Karrh, DVM, President
    Professional Member | Term Expires: June 30, 2027
  • Dean Vicksman, DVM, Vice President
    Professional Member | Term Expires: June 30, 2026
  • Catherine Kuntz, DVM, Secretary
    Professional Member | Term Expires: June 30, 2027
  • Lynn Ferguson, RVT
    Professional Member| Term Expires: June 30, 2027
  • Rebecca Rose, RVT
    Professional Member | Term Expires: June 30, 2027
  • Martha Jo Myers, DVM
    Professional Member | Term Expires: June 30, 2029
  • Tracey Jensen, DVM
    Professional Member | Term Expires: June 30, 2029
  • Heather Cammisa
    Public Member | Term Expires: June 30, 2029
  • Anna Stout
    Public Member | Term Expires: June 30, 2028
Public Notices

Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine - Request for Stakeholder Written Comments - Revised

The Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine is requesting feedback regarding proposed repeal of Rule 1.20 - RULES REGARDING THE USE OF BENZODIAZEPINE – The purpose is to implement Colorado Senate Bill 24-047 (CONCERNING THE PREVENTION OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, MAKING AN APPROPRIATION) which removes veterinarians from the definition of "prescriber" as used in Section 12-30-109; conforming the existing rule to the requirements of sections 12-30-109(6) and 12-280-404(4)(a.5), C.R.S. Please submit written comments by November 30, 2025, however the Board will continue to accept written comments until the Rulemaking Hearing on December 11, 2025. Written comments will be posted on the Board's website under the “Public Notices” tab as received for all stakeholders to access and review.

Legislative Updates

The Division of Professions and Occupations regulates more than 550,000 licensees, certificate holders and registrants. Each year, the General Assembly passes legislation directly impacting those populations. Many bills then require rulemaking or other policy updates by the Division or Boards in order to implement these changes. All relevant bills from the most recent legislative session have been combined onto a single webpage for easy access here. We encourage all licensees to read all bills directly impacting their profession(s). You may access the individual bills and summaries by visiting the link below:

Meeting Minutes