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HB 1198COLORADOSession 2026AState BillSigned into law

Enacted

Colorado streamlines veterinary licensing, clarifies emergency prescribing, and creates prescription drug donation program

Original title: Access to Veterinary Care

Last action · April 29, 2026: Governor SignedSponsors: Karen McCormick and 38 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Colorado law now requires the state board of veterinary medicine to expedite out-of-state license transfers, exempts veterinarians acting in emergencies from pharmacy discipline, and establishes a veterinary drug donation program for animal owners.

Why it matters

Out-of-state veterinarians can transfer credentials faster, animal owners can donate unused prescription drugs, and veterinarians gaining emergency medical administration rights face no pharmacy board penalties.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

veterinarians

Veterinarians benefit from streamlined out-of-state licensing pathways, emergency exemptions from pharmacy rules, and authorization to accept and use donated prescription drugs.

Directly affected

animal owners

Animal owners gain the legal ability to donate unused prescription drugs to shelters or licensed veterinarians.

Directly affected

animal shelters

Animal shelters are authorized to accept donations of unused veterinary prescription drugs from animal owners.

Directly affected

veterinary technicians

Veterinary technicians are subject to updated educational program accreditation requirements from associations beyond the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can out-of-state veterinarians get licensed faster in Colorado under this act?

Yes, the act requires the state board of veterinary medicine to adopt rules that expedite the process and eliminate duplicative requirements.

What happens to unused prescription drugs under the new law?

Animal owners can donate unused prescribed veterinary drugs to licensed veterinarians or animal shelters, provided certain conditions are met.

Will veterinarians be disciplined by the pharmacy board for emergency prescriptions?

No, the act clarifies that a veterinarian prescribing medicine in an emergency situation is not acting as a pharmacist and is not subject to pharmacy board discipline.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

15 actions

Apr 29, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Governor Signed
Apr 23, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Sent to the Governor
Apr 22, 2026HouseFloor
Signed by the Speaker of the House
Apr 22, 2026SenateFloor
Signed by the President of the Senate
Apr 2, 2026House
House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
Apr 1, 2026House
House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily

Show 9 earlier actions

Mar 31, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
Mar 30, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee
Mar 25, 2026SenateCommittee
Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
Mar 12, 2026SenateIntroduced
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources
Mar 9, 2026HouseFloor
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
Mar 6, 2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
Mar 5, 2026House
House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
Mar 2, 2026HouseCommittee
House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
Feb 11, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources

Version history

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