Help and resources for dealing with veterinarians in Denver, CO
If you've had a bad experience with a veterinary clinic in Denver, or just want to check a vet's license before your first visit, it helps to know which agency actually handles what. Below is a curated list of real regulatory bodies, professional associations, and consumer protection offices that cover veterinary care in Colorado and nationally, drawn from public sources.
Some of these groups can investigate and discipline a veterinarian directly, while others only offer guidance, accreditation standards, or a place to verify a license. Knowing the difference can save you time when you're deciding where to send a complaint.
Government & regulatory
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Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine
Licenses and regulates veterinarians and veterinary technicians in Colorado, and investigates complaints of unprofessional conduct with the power to discipline licensees.
Visit website → Phone: 303-894-7800 Division of Professions and Occupations, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202 -
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
State umbrella regulatory agency that houses the Division of Professions and Occupations, including the veterinary board, and runs a general consumer-protection information line.
Visit website → Phone: 303-894-7855 or 1-800-886-7675 (toll free outside the Denver metro area) 1560 Broadway, Suite 110, Denver, CO 80202
Industry & professional associations
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American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
National professional association for veterinarians that accredits veterinary schools and advises pet owners on how to escalate concerns, including filing complaints with state licensing boards.
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Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
State-level professional association for veterinarians offering continuing education and member resources; it has no regulatory authority and does not manage veterinary licensure in Colorado.
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American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
National accrediting body for veterinary hospitals that can address complaints only against AAHA-accredited practices for violations of its accreditation standards; it has no authority over a veterinarian's license.
Consumer protection
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American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB)
A national federation of state and provincial veterinary regulatory boards that runs a public Veterinary License Look-Up tool and explains the difference between licensing boards and professional associations.
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Colorado Attorney General – Consumer Protection Section
Investigates and prosecutes deceptive trade practices under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, including complaints against veterinary practices for issues like false advertising or billing fraud.
Visit website → Phone: 720-508-6000 Colorado Department of Law, Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center, 1300 Broadway, 9th Floor, Denver, CO 80203 -
City and County of Denver – Consumer Protection
Local municipal office that handles complaints against businesses operating in Denver, including veterinary clinics, for unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices.
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AAVSB Veterinary License Look-Up (with FARB)
A joint tool from AAVSB and the Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards that lets pet owners verify a veterinarian's or vet tech's license and check for disciplinary history nationwide.
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