On April 23, Colorado became the 11th state to have girls flag football as a sanctioned high school sport.
The Denver Broncos and the Colorado High School Activities Association held a joint press conference on at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse to celebrate.
“Most of all I want to recognize all the incredible young women - the student-athletes - you have made this a reality,” said Carrie Walton Penner, Denver Broncos ownership group member. “Ultimately because of them, Colorado joins 10 other states to sanction girls flag football as an official varsity sport.”
Jeffco Public Schools, Denver Public School and Cherry Creek School District starting worked with the Broncos in 2021 to begin a pair of girls flag football pilot seasons in Fall 2022 and Fall 2023 with the hope girls flag football would become a CHSAA sanctioned sport.
The dream became a reality with the CHSAA Legislative Council voting 57-9 to sanction girls flag football starting for the 2024-25 school year.
“What an exciting time for female athletes,” said Tracy Dorland, Jeffco Public Schools superintendent, who attended the celebration Wednesday. “We're on the cutting edge of something new and exciting for our Jeffco students. To see that attention that our female athletes at both the collegiate and high school level is really special. It is what should be happening.”
