The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has approved variances for Season C sports, paving the way for those sports to begin practice over the next week.

Sports in Season C include: field hockey, football, gymnastics, boys soccer, unified bowling and girls volleyball. This will mark the first-ever sanctioned season for unified bowling.

Field hockey, gymnastics, boys soccer, unified bowling and girls volleyball begin practice on March 8, and competition on March 15. Football begins practice on March 4 for the 48 teams that did not participate during Season A, and competition on March 18.

Complete dates are available on the approved calendar.

Each sport has sport-specific modifications in place this season.

CDPHE variance approvals are required for a high school sport season to begin outside of the current participant dial levels. This allows student participants statewide to participate aligned with education-based models.

The complete letter from CDPHE, including information regarding safety implementations mandated by CDPHE for each sport, is available here.

The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) does not have the authority to interpret or change CDPHE, Local Health Departments or the Governor’s Executive Orders in regards to capacity limitations for sport arenas, gyms, pools, recreational facilities, ice rinks, classrooms, restaurants, theaters, and so on.

CHSAA is required to follow CDPHE’s dial level guidance which dictates the capacity restrictions followed by your school, districts and local county health departments unless CDPHE issues specific variances to the dial for certain activities.

In these unprecedented times, we understand the amount of miscommunication and misdirected angst that develops through our member school communities as the CHSAA resumes athletics and activities in 2021 for student-participants statewide. Setting public or private capacity limitations which may include players, officials, event workers, spectators are not made or interpreted at the Association level.

We celebrate the start of Season B programs today. Tireless work and hours happen behind the scenes, so I would like to personally thank the CHSAA administrators, directors and their executive assistants, member school administrators, coaches, officials, volunteers and state officials, that have worked through the many challenges to provide these opportunities, which are not taken for granted or owed on behalf of Colorado High School student-participants.

A general overview of modifications which are being made to structure of the season in Season B sports.

Following multiple meetings in the past week, including this weekend, CHSAA has secured variances from CDPHE and state officials which will allow all Season B sports and activities to begin practice on Jan. 18.

The following sports have been approved to start practice on Jan. 18: Ice hockey, skiing, girls swimming, wrestling, basketball, and competitive spirit. The approved calendar will be revised to begin competition on Jan. 25.

Originally, Season B was proposed to begin on Feb. 1. Through collaborative negotiations, the Jan. 18 start date aligns with Gov. Jared Polis’ announcement to prioritize in-person or hybrid learning models.

“For months, our office has been laser-focused on students and the safe resumption of high school sports and activities in 2021,” said CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. “The conversations with CDPHE and the Governor’s COVID Response Team to resume Season B sports have been intentional and assertive. Though it has taken many late nights and weekends, we are thrilled that our student-athletes, member schools and local school communities have a resolution. Educationally-based athletics are a vital extension of the classroom.”

The CHSAA administrative staff has planned a series of virtual meetings for athletic directors and coaches to provide details on the implementation of each sport. These meetings will begin on Jan. 4.

Under the current dial levels, CHSAA-sponsored events could not be conducted due to public health restrictions at the state level that limited the number of athletes to practice or compete in a facility. For example, the current guidelines only allow basketball to have 10 total individuals (including coaches, athletes, trainers, etc.) in a gym.

Therefore, variance approval from CDPHE and state officials were critical to begin any sport or activity. For example, the basketball variance will permit teams to have 24 players total, as well as coaches and trainers.

Approval of these variances allows for statewide consistency and sustainability of competition when diverse local health interpretations could restrict member participation regionally.

“We’re all in this together,” Blanford-Green said. “Our state officials, especially CDPHE, have a responsibility to prioritize student safety. We appreciate their support and advocacy for resuming athletics and activities for the state of Colorado in 2021.”

We took to Instagram last week to ask students to send us any questions they had for our commissioner, Rhonda Blanford-Green. And those students sure delivered.

We fielded nearly 300 questions on that Instagram post and through our direct messages. We did our best to identify common questions, and ones that would be able to hit on multiple topics. As a result, we ended up with 20 questions, and we sat down with Blanford-Green to ask those questions.

The result is a conversation that spanned more than 40 minutes, and a wide range of topics.

Questions answered in the video:

• “Delayed and cancelled are two different things, right? Doesn’t the CDPHE dictate if CHSAA delays sports?”
• “When did CHSAA get word from the CDPHE that the season was going to be delayed?”
• “What are variances from the state?”
• “Why were the remaining seasons delayed, especially Season D?”
• “Why was football allowed to finish its season, and these sports got delayed?”
• “The letter from CDPHE mentioned indoor sports. How does that impact skiing?”
• “Is there a possibility our season could be cancelled?”
• “Does the CHSAA staff think that Season B will be the hardest to deal since many of the sports are going to be indoor and close contact?”
• “Why is the delay being announced so early?”
• “Why can there be club sports, and places around us can play indoor sports, but we can’t play a normal season?”
• “Will counties in level red cause indoor sports to postpone until the level decreases?”
• When will specifics on sports season be released?
• “Why can college and professional athletes play without masks and we can’t even play at all?”
• “How does it work if we graduate in May and track ends June 26?”
• “If there is a vaccine developed, will there be fans allowed?”
• “If schools don’t return to in-person learning, will sports be able to resume?”
• “Why do the seasons overlap?”
• “Why aren’t different sports getting looked at based on levels of risk?”
• “Can you play two sports in the same season?”
• “Why are you doing what you’re doing?”
• “Has the waiver idea been put into any consideration?”
• “What are your thoughts about the whole situation?”

(CHSAANow.com)

The start of Season B sports has been delayed, following communication from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to the Colorado High School Activities Association late Sunday night.

This change also affects the planned start of Seasons C and D, which have also been delayed.

In a letter sent to CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green, CDPHE indicated that Season B would not be permitted to begin on Jan. 4, as had been scheduled on the CHSAA 2020-21 sports calendar. CDPHE further said that no variances will be given to CHSAA sports at this time.

In the letter, Jill Hunsaker Rye, Executive Director of the CDPHE wrote:

The COVID-19 pandemic has reached an all time high in terms of disease transmission both in Colorado and around the nation. The Colorado School of Public Health estimates that 1 in 40 Coloradans are currently infectious. Hospital admissions are steadily increasing, and the past six weeks have produced a significant increase in the number of deaths statewide. With the Thanksgiving holiday just behind us and the impending December holiday festivities, we are very concerned that the rate of transmission will continue to increase.

At this time, we do not have enough information about what disease incidence and hospitalization capacity will look like in January, and therefore are unable to make a determination regarding indoor high school athletics in Season B. Season B high school sports would operate based on the restrictions in the level of the Dial in the county in which the school resides. For counties in Level Red, this means no indoor group sports are authorized.

In addition, our top goal for the new year is to support a return to in-person learning. Season B sports are conducted mainly indoors during the colder months, which reduces the ability to assure social distancing. This in turn may further promote disease transmission at a time when we need to ensure that students and teachers are protected and that in-person learning is the highest priority.

We welcome an ongoing conversation regarding the indoor requests at a future date as more schools safely open their indoor facilities for students.

As a result, CHSAA is proposing a Feb. 1 start date for Season B. CHSAA, CDPHE and Gov. Jared Polis’ COVID Response Team, plan to meet again mid-January to continue the discussion around variances for Season B, and reassess COVID-19 data at that time. Variances will not be considered prior to that date.

Specifics for each sport will be communicated upon variance approval from the CDPHE.

County health department and school districts will determine open gym policies, per state guidance.

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Proposed CHSAA Calendar (subject to variance approval)

Season B

• 7 Weeks 
• Practice: January 25
• Competition: February 1-March 20

Sports:

• Boys & Girls Basketball
• Boys & Girls Skiing
• Boys & Girls Wrestling
• Girls Swim & Dive
• Ice Hockey
• Spirit (Championship Weekend March 25-27)

Season C

• 7 Weeks
• Practice: March 15
• Competition: March 22-May 8

Sports:

• Boys Soccer
• Field Hockey
• Girls Volleyball
• Gymnastics
• Unified Bowling
• *Football (see dates below)

Season D

• 7 Weeks
• Practice: May 3
• Competition: May 10-June 26

Sports:

• Baseball
• Boys & Girls Lacrosse
• Boys & Girls Track & Field
• Boys Swim & Dive
• Boys Volleyball
• Girls Soccer
• *Girls Golf (see dates below)
• *Girls Tennis (see dates below)

More info

• Football: 9 Weeks (same as Season A Football)
  • Practice: March 4
  • Competition: March 15-May 15
• Girls Golf: 10 Weeks (same as boys golf)
  • Practice: April 19
  • Competition: April 19-June 22
• Girls Tennis: 7 weeks (same as Season D sports and Boys Tennis)
  • Practice: April 26
  • Competition: April 26-June 12

(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

The CHSAA follows state and local guidelines regarding maximum numbers in facilities. Many of our state events will have some restrictions and modifications on spectator numbers. Please check with your school athletic directors for spectator variances.

(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

The 2020 boys tennis state tournaments are Sept. 25-26. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some changes to the format of the tournament. Please see below. School athletic directors have been sent all details.

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Schedule

• The schedule is going to be different, with each tournament moving from three days to two days. Friday will feature first-round and quarterfinal matches. Saturday will feature semifinals and championships.
• Matches will begin play no earlier than the scheduled time.

Class 5A

Day 1 (16 Courts)

• 9:00 am – 1 Singles (8), 2 Singles (8) 
• 10:15 am – 3 singles (8), 1 Doubles (8)
• 11:30 am – 2 Doubles (8), 3 Doubles (8) 
• 12:45 pm – 4 Doubles (8), 1 Singles (4), 2 singles (4)
• 2:00 pm – 3 Singles (4), 1 Doubles (4), 2 Doubles (4), 3 Doubles (4)
• 3:15 pm – 4 Doubles (4) 

Day 2 (14 Courts)

• 9:00 am – All Semifinals (14)
• 11:30 am – All Finals (7)

Class 4A

Day 1 (17 Courts)

• 9:00 am – 1 Singles (8), 2 Singles (8), 3 Singles (1)
• 10:15 am – 3 Singles (7), 1 Doubles (8), 2 Doubles (2)
• 11:30 am – 2 Doubles (6), 3 Doubles (8), 4 Doubles (3)
• 12:45 pm – 4 Doubles (5), 1 Singles (4), 2 singles (4), 3 Singles (4)
• 2:00 pm – 1 Doubles (4), 2 Doubles (4), 3 Doubles (4), 4 Doubles (4) 

Day 2 (14 Courts)

• 9:00 am – All Semifinals (14)
• 11:30 am – All Finals (7)

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Other changes:

• There will be no playback bracket.
• Players will be given wristbands at regionals after they qualify for the state tournament. The number of coaches teams are permitted to have at the tournament will be limited. Only players, coaches and athletic directors/game managers with wristbands will be permitted into the facility.
• At 5A at Gates Tennis Center, teams will be permitted to have two spectators per active player playing. No spectators will be permitted outside the facility at 5A.
• At 4A at Pueblo City Park, no spectators will be permitted in the facility. Questions about spectators should be addressed to your school’s athletic director.
• Everyone inside the facility will be required to mask at all times, unless actively playing. Those viewing outside the facility in 4A will also be required to wear a mask. Social distancing must always occur.
• Only athletes who are actively playing are permitted into the facility. Once their match is over, they must exit the facility. Athletes cannot enter the facility until their name is called, or 10 minutes prior to their scheduled match time.
• It is strongly recommended that players practice off-site. Facilities will not be open until 7 a.m. Again, players should not arrive until their scheduled match time.
• Team tents will not be allowed inside the tennis facility.
• No food or water will provided at the facility. Players are responsible for bringing their own.
• Bathrooms will only be available for those individuals with a wrist band.
• Media protocol: Must have CHSAA credentials prior to arriving on site. No provisional passes will be given out. No one-on-one interviews will be permitted unless it can be guaranteed that social distancing and masks are used. Interviews will only be granted by permission of coaches. Photographers will be allowed on the courts as long as they maintain social distancing from players and are not intrusive on the match. Media must conduct interviews in the designated area. 

(CHSAANow.com)

Much has occurred this week that has put CHSAA, as well as myself, front and center. Parties have questioned our credibility, integrity, and honesty, even our commitment to the students of Colorado and those we serve yet they are doing so without all the facts before them.

Until today, I have not felt the need to defend myself or our team because I know the vast amount of work and communications that have occurred behind the scenes since June in collaboration with the Governor’s staff to resume all sports in their traditional seasons with the modifications and variances needed to get that done. I have included one of the many communications, in order to stop the noise and finger pointing so that the Commissioner, the CHSAA staff, the CHSAA Board of Directors and the Governor’s team can move forward and focus on what matters right now – the safe resumption of sports in these uncertain times.

All parties are working diligently together towards a resolution.

First the approval of safety plans and variances must be secured from the Governor. Then, with the additional voices of CHSAA member administrators, decisions will be made by the CHSAA Board based on new information that was not available this past Tuesday.

I will take this moment to thank the Board of Directors for their commitment and dedication to education-based athletics and activities, as they have handled this past week with professionalism and grace which wasn’t extended to them.

This morning, modified safety implementation plans and variance requests with additions were resubmitted to the Governor’s team for their approval.

We are in a pandemic and the safety of the eco-system of sports means that the approval of resumption plans by our state and health officials must be scrutinized much different than your weekend youth and recreation sports. We are an extension of 363 member schools. Our implementation cannot undermine the primary purpose for interscholastic (not club, recreation) participation which is Education First!

We will continue to be the gate keepers even in the face of public outcry and singular sport focus to advocate vehemently for 180,000 student-participants, our member schools (public/charter and private) to resume all 29 athletics and activities for the State of Colorado.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Blanford-Green
Commissioner-CHSAA

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(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green is meeting with the Governor’s office on Friday to gather information about potential variances the state would allow for all sports.

On Tuesday afternoon, following multiple conversations with the Governor’s office, it was made clear to Blanford-Green that the variances she has sought from the COVID-19 Response Team since June in order to play certain sports would not be given. This information was conveyed to the Board of Directors prior to their meeting, and vote, on Tuesday evening.

It is apparent that the COVID-19 Response Team has now changed their position. The Governor made a public statement on Thursday, and then gave the Commissioner a verbal reassurance on that same day, that the variances we have been asking for would be expedited.

Blanford-Green is meeting with the Governor’s office to get details in writing about the variances that his office will allow.

Additionally, major concerns of the Board of Directors were that many schools are still trying to safely return to in-person learning, and still remain unable to physically access their buildings. Certain districts do not have the financial resources to be able to safely begin fall sports. The Governor’s office has indicated that it may be able to provide resources to schools to help facilitate their activities programs. Blanford-Green is also seeking to further clarify this possibility.

In light of this new information, the Board of Directors and CHSAA staff are working collaboratively to survey administrators from the entire membership to gather their input.