Governor Polis Cuts Ribbon on CSU Veterinary Complex, Training the Next Generation of Colorado's Vets

FORT COLLINS - Today, Governor Jared Polis celebrated the opening of the Colorado State University Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex alongside university leaders and students. The ribbon cutting highlights how Colorado is stepping up to implement solutions to address veterinary workforce needs in the face of a national veterinary care shortage.

"Our animals are family and give us so much loyalty, comfort, and joy. Getting our pets the best possible care is the least we can do. This hospital raises that bar for Coloradans and our companions, and it will graduate more veterinarians and Veterinary Professional Associates each year with the most robust hands-on training in the country," said Governor Polis.

In 2024, the Governor signed HB 24-1231 to strengthen Colorado's veterinarian workforce. This bill provided $50 million for the construction of CSU's veterinary health education complex. The funding supported CSU in improving its curriculum and expanding veterinary class sizes by 20% which will help to address veterinary workforce shortages across the state.

In 2025, Governor Polis signed HB 25-1285 into law, which established a clear and safe framework for integrating the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role into the veterinary workforce while ensuring consumer protection and animal health and safety. This bill formalized Proposition 129 which was approved by Colorado voters in 2024. Colorado State University is the first in the nation to offer a complete VPA course of study. Governor Polis has worked to advance animal welfare and veterinary access through multiple key pieces of legislation.

In 2026, the Governor signed:

• HB 26-1011: Ensuring pet stores in Colorado cannot sell, lease, barter, auction, or otherwise transfer ownership of a dog or cat.
• HB 26-1198: Allowing veterinarians to prescribe certain medications in-house and creating a drug donation program for unused prescribed pet medicine.
• HB 26-1229: Recognizing the role animals play in Coloradans' health and allowing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to consider the human-animal bond a social determinant of health.
• HB 26-1045: Ensures Coloradans cannot be denied access to housing because they live with an assistance animal including emotional support animals and service animals.
• HB 26-1133: Requires educators that show animals for educational purposes to meet criteria that protect the animals wellbeing.
• HB 26-1183: Ensures the safety and welfare of pets in animal care facilities across the state.

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