Action Alert - HB26-1042: Dry Needling by Occupational Therapists 

The OTAC bill for this year, HB26-1042: Dry Needling for Occupational Therapists, has passed with unanimous support in the House of Representatives! Now the bill is headed to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee and we need your help in contacting your Senators. You can check out the fact sheet here to learn more.

We need Senate committee members to understand how this bill affects you, your colleagues, and your clients—and why they should vote yes. By making our voices heard, we increase the chances this bill will pass and highlight the importance of dry needling to our profession in Colorado.

Action Steps

• Email or call all committee members between Thurs., 3/5 - Tues., 3/10. 
• Share with supporters: Clients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals can also reach out to committee members.
• Important: Dry needling is currently not legal for OTs in Colorado. Do not reference performing it in this state.
• Thank you for helping strengthen the occupational therapy profession and support the people we serve.

Email or Call Committee Members
Below are the emails and phone numbers for each committee member. It doesn’t matter if they aren’t your own representative—please contact all of them to maximize our impact:

• Senator Kyle Mullica (Chair) - kyle.mullica.senate@coleg.govor 303-866-4451
• Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet (Vice Chair) - dafna.michaelson.jenet.senate@coleg.govor 303-866-4857 (has resigned)
•  Senator Scott Bright - scott.bright.senate@coleg.govor 303-866-4855
• Senator John Carson - john.carson.senate@coleg.govor 303-866-4881
• Senator Lisa Cutter - lisa.cutter.senate@coleg.govor 303-866-4859
• Senator Lindsey Daugherty - lindsey.daugherty.senate@coleg.govor 303-866-4840
• Senator Lisa Frizell - lisa.frizell.senate@coleg.govor 303-866-4869
• Senator Iman Jodeh - iman.jodeh.senate@coleg.govor 303-866-3432
• Senator Mike Weissman - mike.weissman.senate@coleg.govor 303-866-4879

Below is a draft email you can use to contact Senate Committee members—personalized messages are much more effective than a generic template. Questions? Email info@otacco.org.

Every message counts—keep encouraging colleagues and supporters to take action as we rally over the coming months!

Draft Email

Subject: Support Access to Care: Vote YES on HB26-1042 (Dry Needling by OTs)

Dear Senator [Last Name],

As you prepare for the upcoming Health and Human Services Committee hearing, we urge you to vote YES on HB26-1042, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Ball, Representative Feret and Representative Bradley. This legislation allows qualified licensed occupational therapists (OTs) to perform dry needling, a modality already utilized by physical therapists and chiropractors in Colorado, to improve patient access to pain relief and rehabilitation.

What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is an evidence-based therapeutic modality that uses thin, monofilament needles to target myofascial trigger points. By inserting these "dry" needles into the muscle, it increases blood flow, releases tightness, and reduces pain. For patients, this pain reduction, better function, and improved outcomes.

Why Occupational Therapists?
Occupational therapists are highly trained professionals who graduate from programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Their education includes rigorous coursework in:

• Neuroscience
• Kinesiology and Biomechanics
• Biological and Physical Sciences
• Risk mitigation and safety protocols, including the ability to assess vital signs and apply interventions using an indications/contraindications framework

This advanced clinical foundation ensures OTs have the necessary expertise to add dry needling to their practice safely and effectively. Dry needling is a perfect complement to their existing toolkit, which includes therapeutic exercise and manual therapy. 

Dry Needling is NOT Acupuncture
It is important to clarify a common distinction:

• Dry needling is a neuromuscular intervention based on modern anatomy and neurophysiology, used to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.
• Acupuncture is a separate discipline rooted in traditional Chinese medicine with its own distinct theoretical framework, training pathways, and licensure.
• • This bill explicitly does not authorize OTs to practice acupuncture and leaves acupuncture regulation unchanged.

Education and Consumer Protection
Colorado consumers are protected under this bill. Licensed OTs must meet specific education, competency, and consent requirements set by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), including:

• Informed Consent: OTs must provide written informed consent to each patient outlining the potential benefits and risks of dry needling.
• Regulatory Oversight: Licensed OTs must meet specific education, competency, and consent requirements set by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), with the law becoming effective September 1, 2027 to allow time for proper rulemaking.
• Scope of Practice: OTs are obligated to practice strictly within their competence and use interventions only when clinically indicated.
• Ethical Obligations: OTs must prioritize beneficence and nonmaleficence (do good/do no harm) in all treatment decisions.
• Professional Accountability: OTs remain subject to all existing licensing board oversight and disciplinary processes.

Thank you for your leadership and for considering the needs of Colorado’s patients and providers. We strongly urge you to vote YES on HB26-1042.

Sincerely,

[Your Name/Organization Name]
[Your Contact Information]