Current Action Requested: HB26-1042 (OT Dry Needling) 

OTAC is requesting member engagement in support of HB26-1042: Dry Needling by Occupational Therapists (sponsored by Rep. Feret and Sen. Ball). This legislation would authorize licensed occupational therapists to perform dry needling only under education, competency, informed consent, and DORA regulatory requirements, with an effective date of September 1, 2027.

HB26-1042 at a glance:

• Authorizes OTs to perform dry needling subject to specific training, competency, consent, and regulatory requirements established through DORA.

• Includes significant consumer protections, including written informed consent outlining potential risks and benefits.

• Supports patient access and continuity of care when pain, muscle tension, or dysfunctional movement patterns are barriers to function within an OT plan of care.

• Clarifies that dry needling is not acupuncture and does not change acupuncture regulation.

• Creates practice parity with Physical Therapists

• Read/share the fact sheet!

The OTAC bill for this year, HB26-1042: Dry Needling for Occupational Therapists, has been introduced and is now headed to the House Health and Human Services Committee. You can check out the fact sheet here to learn more.

We need House 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 committee members between Thursday, 1/29, and Monday, 2/2.
• Share with supporters: Clients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals can also reach out.
• 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 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.

• Representative Lindsay Gilchrist (Chair) lindsay.gilchrist.house@coleg.gov or (303) 866-2959
• Representative Sheila Lieder (Vice Chair) sheila.lieder.house@coleg.gov or (303) 866-2939
• Representative Carlos Barron carlos.barron.house@coleg.gov or (303) 866-2943
• Representative Mary Bradfield mary.bradfield.house@coleg.gov or (303) 866-2946
• Representative Brandi Bradley brandi.bradley.house@coleg.gov or (303) 866-2935
• Representative Regina English regina.english.house@coleg.gov (303) 866-3069
• Representative Lisa Feret (Bill Sponsor) lisa.feret.house@coleg.gov or (303) 866-2950
• • Please thank her for sponsoring this bill!
• Representative Eliza Hamrick eliza.hamrick.house@coleg.gov or (303) 866-3706
• Representative Dusty Johnson dustyforcolorado@gmail.com or (303) 866-2398
• Representative Karen McCormick karen.mccormick.house@coleg.gov or (303) 866 2780
• Representative Gretchen Rydin gretchen.rydin.house@coleg.gov or (303) 866-2953
• Representative Katie Stewart katie.stewart.house@coleg.gov or (303) 866-2914
• Representative Dan Woog dan.woog.house@coleg.gov or (303) 866-2924

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

If the bill is successful, we’ll have at least three more rounds of emails as it moves through committee, the House and the Senate. Every message counts—keep encouraging colleagues and supporters to take action as we rally over the coming months!

Draft Email
Re: Please Vote YES on HB26-1042 Dry Needling by Occupational Therapists

Dear Representative [Last Name],

As a [INSERT Profession / or Recipient of Dry Needling], I urge you to support HB26-1042 Dry Needling by Occupational Therapists, which authorizes occupational therapists to perform dry needling under clear training and consumer protection standards. This bill will improve patient access, ensure continuity of care, and align Colorado with other states that already allow occupational therapists to perform dry needling.

[Optional—for occupational therapists certified or interested in becoming certified in dry needling:] As an occupational therapist, passage of this bill would directly benefit my clients by [INSERT HOW—e.g., reducing wait times, improving outcomes, minimizing referrals, increasing access in rural areas].

Dry needling is a safe, evidence-based technique used to reduce muscle pain and stiffness. Physical therapists in Colorado have been authorized to perform dry needling since 2013. HB26-1042 creates parity by allowing occupational therapists—who receive extensive training in anatomy and neurophysiology through accredited master’s and doctoral programs overseen by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)—to use this intervention when clinically appropriate.

Occupational therapists help patients regain the ability to perform daily activities such as dressing, working, and caring for their families. When pain limits function, dry needling can be a critical component of treatment. Currently, patients must be referred to another provider for this service, leading to unnecessary delays and disruptions in care. This bill keeps treatment efficient and client-centered.

HB26-1042 prioritizes patient safety by requiring post-professional training in dry needling, demonstrated competency, and written informed consent. Occupational therapists complete the same post-secondary dry needling education as physical therapists and other healthcare professionals who perform dry needling. Dry needling is distinct from acupuncture, and this bill does not alter the regulation or scope of acupuncture.

Sponsored by Representative Feret and Senator Ball, HB26-1042 is supported by the Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado (OTAC). A YES vote means improved access to care, better continuity for patients, and strong safety oversight.

Please vote YES on HB26-1042.

Capitol Testimony (In Person)

We are currently planning to testify at the House of Reps Hearing on February 4th.

  If you are interested in testifying in the future - please fill out this google form!