# C.R.S. § 12-300-104: 12-300-104. Definitions > Colorado · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-104 ## Section - **Citation:** C.R.S. § 12-300-104 - **Heading:** 12-300-104. Definitions - **Jurisdiction:** Colorado - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** CO Code / Title 12 / Article 300 / Section 12-300-104 ## Text 12-300-104. Definitions. As used in this article 300, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Medical director" means a licensed physician who holds such title in any inpatient or outpatient facility, department, or home care agency, and who is responsible for the quality, safety, and appropriateness of the respiratory therapy provided. (2) "Respiratory therapist" means a person who is licensed to practice respiratory therapy pursuant to this article 300. (3) "Respiratory therapy" means providing therapy, management, rehabilitation, support services for diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities that affect the pulmonary system under the overall direction of a medical director. Respiratory therapy includes the following: (a) Direct and indirect pulmonary care services that are safe, aseptic, preventive, and restorative to the patient; (b) The teaching or instruction of the techniques and skill of respiratory care whether or not in a formal educational setting; (c) Direct and indirect respiratory care services, including the administration of pharmacological, diagnostic, and therapeutic agents related to respiratory care procedures necessary to implement a treatment, disease prevention, and pulmonary rehabilitative or diagnostic regimen prescribed by a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a certified midwife; (d) Observation and monitoring of signs, symptoms, reactions, general behavior, and general physical response to respiratory care treatment and diagnostic testing for: (I) The determination of whether such signs, symptoms, reactions, behavior, or general response exhibit abnormal characteristics; or (II) The implementation based on observed abnormalities of appropriate reporting, referral, or respiratory care protocols or changes in treatment regimen pursuant to a prescription by a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a certified midwife or the initiation of emergency procedures; (e) The diagnostic and therapeutic use of the following in accordance with the prescription of a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a certified midwife: (I) Administration of medical gases, exclusive of general anesthesia; (II) Aerosols; (III) Humidification; (IV) Environmental control systems and biomedical therapy; (V) Pharmacologic agents related to respiratory care procedures; (VI) Mechanical or physiological ventilatory support; (VII) Bronchopulmonary hygiene; (VIII) Respiratory protocol and evaluation; (IX) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; (X) Maintenance of the natural airways; (XI) Insertion and maintenance of artificial airways; (XII) Diagnostic and testing techniques required for implementation of respiratory care protocols; (XIII) Collection of specimens from the respiratory tract; or (XIV) Analysis of blood gases and respiratory secretions and participation in cardiopulmonary research; and (f) The transcription and implementation of the written and verbal orders of a physician pertaining to the practice of respiratory care. ## Nearby sections - [C.R.S. § 12-300-101 12-300-101. Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-101.md) - [C.R.S. § 12-300-102 12-300-102. Legislative declaration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-102.md) - [C.R.S. § 12-300-103 12-300-103. Applicability of common provisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-103.md) - [C.R.S. § 12-300-104 12-300-104. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-104.md) - [C.R.S. § 12-300-105 12-300-105. Use of titles restricted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-105.md) - [C.R.S. § 12-300-106 12-300-106. Limitations on authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-106.md) - [C.R.S. § 12-300-107 12-300-107. License - effectiveness - fee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-107.md) - [C.R.S. § 12-300-108 12-300-108. Renewal of license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-108.md) - [C.R.S. § 12-300-109 12-300-109. Grounds for action - disciplinary proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-109.md) - [C.R.S. § 12-300-110 12-300-110. Mental and physical examination of licensees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-110.md) - [C.R.S. § 12-300-111 12-300-111. Confidential agreement to limit practice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-111.md) - [C.R.S. § 12-300-112 12-300-112. Exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-112.md) - [C.R.S. § 12-300-113 12-300-113. Practice of medicine prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-113.md) - [C.R.S. § 12-300-114 12-300-114. Unauthorized practice - penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-114.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T12_A300_S12-300-104. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.