Colorado Safer Youth Sports (SB24-113)
The Colorado Safer Youth Sports Bill (Safer Youth Sports | Colorado General Assembly) was required to be implemented by July 1, 2025. The legislation requires coaches to comply with a code of conduct and to complete a background check, including screening for sexual offenses and screening for felony child abuse before they can work with teams or children. Colorado Amateur Hockey Association and Affiliated members comply with these requirements by ensuring that all coaches and referees complete the risk management requirements, as listed below.
All individuals associated with Colorado Amateur Hockey and its affiliate members — including coaches, assistant coaches, managers, chaperones, club staff, and board members — must meet the following requirements:
| Role | Background Check | SafeSport Training | Concussion Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coach / Assistant Coach | Every 2 years | Every year | Every year |
| Manager / Chaperone | Every 2 years | Every year | N/A |
| All Club Staff | Every 2 years | Every year | Every year |
| Board Member | Every 2 years | Every year | N/A |
Under its SafeSport framework, USA Hockey and its affiliates enforce a prohibited conduct policy with clear codes of conduct for all participants, including coaches. This policy defines prohibited behavior (harassment, bullying, discrimination) and sets reporting requirements and disciplinary procedures.
USA Hockey has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and misconduct, requiring everyone in the hockey community to help maintain an environment free from emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. The USA Hockey SafeSport handbook & Policy provides guidance on detecting, reporting, and preventing abuse.
To comply with SB24-113, all USA Hockey member clubs in Colorado must post a link to the organization’s Risk Compliance or Policies page by July 1, 2025. Updates from the Colorado Attorney General’s office will be shared as received. Clubs may also use the model codes of conduct from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood or create their own policies meeting or exceeding these standards.