This fall, girls flag football will be officially recognized as a sport for high school girls in Colorado. The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) voted 57-9 to add the sport to its roster, making it the 18th CHSAA-sanctioned sport for girls and the 33rd sport overall. This decision comes after a successful two-year pilot program that saw significant growth in participation and popularity.
Cherry Creek School District was one of the first three school districts in Colorado to offer girls flag football as a pilot program in 2022, alongside Denver Public Schools and Jefferson County Public Schools. Larry Bull, director of athletics and activities at Cherry Creek, expressed excitement about the decision, noting that the first year of the pilot program was a huge success.
Girls flag football provides empowerment, inclusion, and teamwork for young women. It creates a powerful sense of belonging and community for the next generation of leaders. Carrie Walton Penner, owner of the Denver Broncos and chair of their foundation board, called the official recognition of girls flag football a historic moment for Colorado and for girls in the state. She emphasized that it is important to continue supporting this sport so that it becomes part of fall sports lineup across school districts.