After an extensive two-year pilot program, girls' flag football will be officially recognized as a high school sport for girls this fall.
The decision comes after the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) voted 57-9 on Tuesday to add girls flag football as an officially sanctioned sport, making Colorado the only state in the country to add girls flag football as an officially sanctioned sport. It became the 11th state to do so. This will be the 18th CHSAA-sanctioned girls sport in the state and 33rd overall.
“The first year we offered this program was a great success,” said Larry Bull, Director of Athletics and Activities for the Cherry Creek School District.
Cherry Creek was one of the first three school districts in the state to offer girls flag football as a pilot program in 2022, along with Denver Public Schools and Jefferson County Public Schools.
From there, the program “just exploded,” Bull said.
“I think today is a great day for the state of Colorado to get young women excited about participating in flag football and get more kids involved in their schools and communities,” he said. “Today is a day to celebrate.”
Dennis Pleus/Jefco Sports Information (via CHSAA)
Athletic directors from the three school districts called the initiative a huge success. Last year, participation in the flag football pilot program increased by 161%.
Both pilot seasons were funded and managed by the Denver Broncos and the Denver Broncos Foundation.
“This is a great year for the state of Colorado and, most importantly, for our state's girls who are embarking on a new journey into the sport through flag football,” Broncos owner and Denver Broncos Foundation Board Chair Carrie Walton Penner said in a statement. It's a historic moment for us.” “In addition to providing a great platform for empowerment, inclusion and teamwork, Girls Flag creates a strong sense of belonging and community for the next generation of leaders.”
The foundation announced it will support women's flag football, which will be added to the fall sports lineup, through coaching clinics and seasonal programs.
