This information was produced by the staff of the Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development (B-BC) at the University of Iowa (belinblank.org). The resources and information listed here are for informational purposes; there is no direct or implied endorsement by the B-BC. Services provided by the B-BC include programs for academically talented K-12 and college students, professional development for teachers, the Assessment and Counseling Clinic, the Acceleration Institute (accelerationinstitute.org), and graduate programs and research in gifted education.

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State Policies in Colorado  

State policy specifically permits acceleration.

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergarten

State policy specifically permits early entrance to kindergarten for students who are "four years of age and for whom early access to kindergarten is deemed appropriate by the administrative unit". Click Here for Early Access Plan information.

Early entrance to 1st gradeState policy specifically permits early entrance to first grade for students who are "five years of age and for whom early access to first grade is deemed appropriate by the administrative unit".  Click Here for Early Access Plan information.
Whole-grade acceleration

Colorado's Advanced Learning Plan Guide (available here ) references programming options including acceleration.


Early high school graduationNo state policy; up to LEA to determine. The Colorado Dept. of Education website offers more information on Graduation Guidlines 
Early entrance to collegeThe University of Denver offers Early Experience, an early entrance program for students in grades ten through twelve.

Content-based Acceleration

Dual or concurrent enrollment in community college, college, or university

State policy specifically permits for grades 9 through 12. (Click Here ) for information about Colorado's concurrent enrollment program.

Early College High Schools is an option that is available.

Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

State policy leaves LEA to determine whether and to what extent dual enrollment in middle and high school is permitted.
Advanced Placement®

Advanced Placement is an option for students in Colorado. Click Here for additional information.

Advanced Placement reports from past years can be downloaded from the Colorado Dept. of Education website.


Talent Search
Credit by examination/proficiency-based promotion

State policy specifically permits proficiency-based promotion, but leaves LEA to determine whether credit toward graduation is awarded. The state suggests the use of standardized tests, performance, and selected competency-based assessments, but each LEA determines their specific methods. After students demonstrate proficiency, the state suggests several advancement options, including dual/concurrent enrollment, cross-grade grouping, grade/course advancement, individualized education programs, and internships, but the final decisions are left to the LEA. Click Here for additional information.
Other forms of content-based acceleration

Typically left to LEAs to determine. If you know of state-level code, please e-mail us.

Additional Information

Colorado Department of Education - Gifted
Colorado Department of Education
Colorado Association for Gifted & Talented

The information presented on this page was compiled from a variety of resources, including the State of the States in Gifted Education 2020-2021 (a report by the Council of State Directors of Programs for the Gifted and the National Association for Gifted Children), Websites, professional literature, and personal communication. The Acceleration Institute has not verified the accuracy of this information and does not warrant its accuracy or fitness of use for any purpose. Users should verify information prior to taking any action. Furthermore, the appearance of selected programs and/or resources does not imply an endorsement or affiliation. Programs and resources are highlighted for informational purposes only.