Colorado High School Activities Association: Revolutionizing Girls’ Sports and Basketball with Flag Football, Shot Clocks, and More

On Tuesday afternoon, the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Legislative Council approved the addition of girls flag football as the 33rd sanctioned sport in Colorado. This new sport will become the 18th high school sport for girls in the state.

Rob Johnson, Chaparral Athletic Director, expressed excitement about this development, stating that it was a significant step forward for female athletes in Colorado. He commended the hard work and dedication shown by the girls who have participated in flag football and praised their accomplishment as amazing. He also thanked the state for supporting these young female athletes.

Another significant decision made during the meeting was the introduction of a shot clock for boys and girls basketball at the varsity level, starting from the 2026-27 season. This change will bring improvements to basketball in Colorado, aligning it with other states and improving gameplay for athletes and coaches alike.

In addition to these key changes, CHSAA announced that high school ice hockey will start one week earlier in future seasons to maintain consistent venues for Frozen Four playoff semi-final and state championship games. Adjustments will also be made to spring sports schedules in 2025 and 2026 to prevent championships from overlapping with Memorial Day Weekend.

Furthermore, skiing state championships will now be divided into two separate events: one for Alpine competition and another for Nordic competition. Coaches returning to CHSAA will have to complete a concussion course refresher, while schools will receive precise instructions on how to fill out athlete transfer paperwork accurately.

Overall, these changes represent a significant milestone in promoting high school sports and ensuring that students have access to diverse opportunities for athletic development.