HB 17-1282 Summary

• Creates a state veterinary education loan repayment program administered by a five-member council housed at Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine to incentivize licensed veterinarians to practice in rural areas with veterinary shortages.

• Establishes eligibility requirements for applicants including graduation from an accredited veterinary school in 2017 or later, current or prior Colorado residency of at least three years, and outstanding education loans not in default.

• Provides loan repayment in increments over up to four years of service: $10,000 after six months of year one, $15,000 for year two, $20,000 for year three, and $25,000 for year four, with a $70,000 maximum per veterinarian.

• Defines "rural" as counties with fewer than 30,000 residents or municipalities with fewer than 20,000 residents not contiguous to larger municipalities, and allows the council to select up to four qualified applicants annually.

• Establishes a veterinary education loan repayment fund with an initial state transfer of $140,000 on September 1, 2017, and allows the council to accept private gifts, grants, and donations to support placements in specific veterinary shortage areas.