Proposition 129 Information
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. You may sign up for rulemaking notifications here.
A rule clarifies statute. It has the effect of law. When it comes to veterinary professions, rules are promulgated, or made, by the State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Every rule has a stakeholder process governed by the Administrative Procedures Act (Section 24-4-101, Colorado Revised Statutes). Stakeholder engagement can take multiple forms. Some of these may include accepting written comments, having stakeholder meetings, having public comment during rulemaking hearings and more.
The anticipated timeline for implementation of this proposition is below. Members of the public will have the opportunity for public comment during the stakeholder meetings and the rulemaking hearing on August 14.
- February 13: Initial rule changes will be presented to the State Board of Veterinary Medicine (Board)
- March 7: Early engagement stakeholder meeting
- April 10: Rule changes with initial stakeholder comments will be presented to the Board
Late April/May: Second early engagement stakeholder meeting - June 12: Proposed rule changes will be presented to the Board
- July/early August: Final stakeholder meeting
- August 14: Rulemaking hearing/formal adoption
- October 15 - Rule effective date
- Early-Mid December - Applications open
- January 1, 2026 - Proposition effective date
This page will be updated as additional information becomes available.