High School Season B Sports Start Delayed To Jan. 25

As schools throughout the state fight to maintain in-person learning, the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has struggled with when and how to start of Season B sports.

CHSAA had proposed a start date of February 1, but last week the state calendar, which reflects several meetings between CHSAA and state agencies, was revised and will now allow for competition to begin Jan. 25; the date had previously been set for Feb. 1.

Statewide, the following sports have been approved to start practice on that date: Ice hockey, skiing, girls swimming, wrestling, basketball, and competitive spirit.

The season would go through March 20. This change also impacts the planned start of the C and D seasons which will also be delayed. In a letter sent to CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment 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.

Salida Spartans Boys Basketball (Photo courtesy of Salida Spartans Boys Basketball Facebook page)

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.”

Colorado Governor Jared Polis’ COVID-19 response team plans to meet again in mid-January to continue discussion on the season B start date.

Season B sports include: