The back-and-forth over fall high school football in Colorado continues.
CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green is meeting with the governor’s office Friday, the association announced. The purpose of the meeting is to talk about potential variances that could allow for sports like football to be played this autumn.
Gov. Jared Polis had previously said on Tuesday that he would be open to seeing prep football return to the fall, but the Colorado High School Activities Association Board of Directors voted later that night not to reconsider changes to the revised 2020-21 athletic calendar.
Now, it appears things have changed — again — with CHSAA releasing a statement Friday indicating that variances needed to move certain sports in its revised athletic calendar will be revisited.
Here is part of the statement from CHSAA:
“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.”
The association’s return-to-play plan, divided into four seasons from August through June, was approved Aug. 4. As part of the revised schedule, high-risk sports like football and volleyball were moved to the spring.
This story will be updated.
