The AAPA constituent organization that represents Physician Assistants in Colorado The Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants represents physician assistants in the state, promotes the physician assistant profession within the state, and furthers the education of its members. The Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA) was established in 1976 to: promote the PA profession to Colorado's lay and medical community offer community health education projects offer continuing medical education for PAs help ensure proper regulation and utilization of PAs in Colorado In 1983, CAPA obtained legislation which clearly defined and broadened the role of PAs —including prescriptive privileges to certified PAs. The law ranks as model legislation for PAs across the country. In 1995, CAPA obtained legislation which included the use of controlled substances into the prescriptive privileges of certified PAs. Today, CAPA represents Colorado PAs before the State Legislature and the Board of Medical Examiners, as well as monitoring their decisions and disseminating information. CAPA also provides information to the Colorado Medical Society, local medical societies, and insurance companies. CAPA's membership includes more than 500 PAs who are widely distributed across the state, working in both primary care and specialty areas. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors which acts on behalf of the membership. CAPA is a constituent chapter of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the nationally recognized organization representing the PA profession. The CAPA membership annually elects delegates to serve in the AAPA's House of Delegates and attend the AAPA Annual Convention.