As used in this part 8, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. (1) Advisory board means the MAT expansion advisory board created in section 23-21-805.
2. (1.5) Center means the center for research into substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery support strategies established pursuant to section 27-80-118.
3. (2) College of nursing means the college of nursing at the university of Colorado Anschutz medical campus, operated by the board of regents of the university of Colorado.
4. (3) Federal act means section 303 of the federal Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, Pub.L. 114-198.
5. (4) Medication-assisted treatment or MAT means a combination of behavioral therapy and medications, such as buprenorphine and all other medications and therapies, approved by the federal food and drug administration to treat opioid use disorder.
6. (5) Nurse practitioner means an advanced practice registered nurse, as defined in section 12-255-104 (1), who is listed on the advanced practice registry in accordance with section 12-255-111 and is authorized by the state board of nursing in accordance with section 12-255-112 to prescribe controlled substances and prescription drugs.
7. (5.3) Pharmacist means an individual licensed in Colorado to engage in the practice of pharmacy who is prescribing medication-assisted treatment pursuant to part 6 of article 280 of title 12.
8. (6) Physician assistant means a person licensed as a physician assistant by the Colorado medical board in accordance with section 12-240-113 who is authorized, in accordance with section 12-240-107 (6), to perform acts constituting the practice of medicine, including prescribing controlled substances.
9. (7) Pilot program or MAT expansion pilot program means the medication-assisted treatment expansion pilot program created in section 23-21-804.
10. (8) Pilot program area means the areas of the state in which the pilot program is available, as specified in section 23-21-804 (1)(b).
11. (9) Qualified nurse practitioner or physician assistant means a nurse practitioner or physician assistant who is a qualifying practitioner, as defined in the federal act and regulations adopted under the federal act, and is registered in accordance with 21 U.S.C. sec. 823 (g).
12. (10) San Luis valley means the counties of Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Huerfano, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache.

Source: L. 2017: Entire part added, (SB 17-074), ch. 226, p. 872, § 1, effective May 22. L. 2019: (1.5) and (10) added, (SB 19-001), ch. 173, p. 2003, § 2, effective May 14; (5) and (6) amended, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1684, § 120, effective October 1. L. 2023: (6) amended, (SB 23-083), ch. 114, p. 416, § 13, effective August 7. L. 2024: (5.3) added, (HB 24-1045), ch. 470, p. 3281, § 13, effective August 7.