The decision to officially sanction girls flag football as a permanent high school sport in Colorado has been met with excitement and enthusiasm, following a successful pilot program that has run for several years. Over 50 schools in the state have already signed up to participate, many of them located in the Denver metro area.
Colorado is now joining 10 other states in the country that have sanctioned the sport for high school girls. CHSAA Commissioner Mike Krueger highlighted the importance of providing opportunities for female athletes to participate in sports and emphasized how leadership, confidence, and equality can be cultivated through girls flag football both on and off the field.
The sport is set to be included in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and more than a dozen NAIA colleges are already offering scholarships for girls flag football players. DII and DIII colleges may follow suit in the near future. Companies like Nike and USA Football have contributed by ensuring that teams have uniforms and necessary equipment, further promoting the growth of the sport.
Broncos owner Carrie Walton Penner stated that this development represents a historic moment for Colorado and provides girls in the state with a new pathway to sports through flag football. She emphasized how empowering, inclusive, teamwork-oriented, and community-building aspects of this sport will shape future leaders.
