In the Exceptional Children's Education Act, state of Colorado defines "gifted" as the following:

12.01 (9) "Gifted & Talented Children" means those persons between the ages of four and twenty-one whose abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. Gifted and talented children are hereafter referred to as gifted students. Children under five who are gifted may also be provided with early childhood special educational services. Gifted students include gifted students with disabilities (i.e. twice exceptional) and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic and ethnic, cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of these areas of giftedness:

12.01 (9) (a) General or Specific Intellectual Ability

12.01 (9) (b) Specific Academic Aptitude

12.01 (9) (c) Creative or Productive Thinking

12.01 (9) (d) Leadership Abilities

12.01 (9) (e) Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Musical or Psychomotor Abilities