Colorado Prep Football OK’d, Public Schools Await Decision

Earlier this week, Colorado governor Jared Polis announced the state’s conditional approval to revised guidelines that would allow for select outdoor prep sports to start in the fall.

The news comes after the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) initially postponed play until the spring of 2021.

According to a report from The Denver Post, the CHSAA’s Board of Directors voted 12-3 in favor of allowing fall seasons for football, field hockey, and cheerleading. Schools will still have the option of playing in the spring, however, will not be allowed to compete in both seasons, according to an issued press release from the CHSAA.

A start time for fall sports practices and games have yet to be released.

“We have worked closely with CHSAA to approve their request, issue guidelines, and assist in creating a process that supports a return to football, field hockey, and cheer,” Polis said in a news release. “If the CHSAA board decides to add these sports to their fall calendars, it will be up to local school districts, administrators, and parents to choose what is right for their communities. The state has approved these requests in order to empower all schools to make the choice that is right for them and their student-athletes.”

The reversal comes after the CHSAA resubmitted “modified safety implementation plans and variance requests” to that state that raised limits on the number of participants. Specifically, it allows groups of up to 50 players (excluding coaches/officials/staff) per roster on a field at one time.

Despite the apparent positive news regarding fall sports in the state, the Denver Public Schools are still hesitant about moving forward so quickly.

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“We feel the decision to move forward with CHSAA sports as scheduled, after the winter break, gives us the best and safest opportunity for our students to have an opportunity to participate this school year,” DPS said in a statement. “Currently in Denver, we are under guidance from our local health departments that limit cohort size and adult interaction with cohorts. This guidance alone would make it impossible to offer the same programming allowed in neighboring communities. It could also limit participation opportunities for our students. Additionally, the lack of a solid and cohesive plan from CHSAA that outlines the expectations and requirements for the rollout of football makes it very difficult to make additional commitments at this time. This is because we are unable to assess whether participation would be feasible, what conditions would be required and any implications given our local health context.”

To read the full story from The Denver Post on the resumption of fall sports in Colorado safely at the high school level, click here.