(1) In designating a community a veterinary shortage area, the council shall consider:
The veterinary service needs identified by the community, giving priority to communities that demonstrate the potential for significant negative food animal health impacts within Colorado if their veterinary service needs are not met;
The number of veterinarians practicing in the community and its surrounding area;
The existing access residents of the community and its surrounding areas have toveterinary services; and
The degree to which residents or livestock producers support the addition of a veterinarian within the community.
For communities that the council identifies as veterinary shortage areas based ontheir demonstrated need for veterinary services, the council, in designating which veterinary shortage areas to match with veterinarians through the program, shall prioritize the veterinary shortage areas based on their demonstrated level of need for veterinary services.
In evaluating a veterinary shortage area to determine whether to designate the veterinary shortage area for participation in the program, the council may consult with public and private entities and visit the veterinary shortage area.
Source: L. 2017: Entire part added, (HB 17-1282), ch. 322, p. 1738, § 1, effective August 9.