OTAC Fun Facts!

We’re kicking off a new monthly series all about OTAC history! From memorable milestones to fun facts, we’ll be sharing pieces of our story that celebrate where we’ve been and how far we’ve come. By reflecting on our past, we celebrate the progress, passion and advocacy that continue to move our profession forward!

A special thanks to our OTAC Historian and past OTAC President, Pam DiPasquale-Lehnerz, for putting together history facts for this series!

Junes OTAC Fact!

Colorado was the 49th state to pass a licensure law for OT practitioners, as Hawaii was the 50th state

The legislative efforts were built on the perseverance of key OTAC board and legislative committee members who collaborated with lobbyists and bill sponsors when the political climate – and data gathering in partnership with AOTA’s State Affairs and DORA – was advantageous to various levels of regulation of practitioners. Regulatory efforts were realized with Trademark Protection via the Trademark Act (1996), which was in effect until Registration for OTs became effective in January 2009, when the law passed in May 2008. The Licensure law for all occupational therapy practitioners went into effect June 2014 after Governor Hickenlooper signed the OT Practice Act in June 2013. An update of the law was passed in 2020 by Governor Jared Polis.

Mays OTAC Fact!
Colorado occupational therapy practitioners founded the Occupational Therapy Association in 1946, long before obtaining articles for incorporation as a nonprofit organization on 1/21/2012

Aprils OTAC Fact!

OTAC has regularly worked with the governor’s office to declare April as Occupational Therapy Month in Colorado since the mid 1990’s.

These proclamations have been signed by Roy Romer (1987-99), Bill Owens (1999-07), Bill Ritter (2007-11), John Hickenlooper (2011-19) and Jared Polis (2019-present).