Colorado § 25-43-203 - Organized school athletic activities - mental health guidelines required.

§ 25-43-203. Organized school athletic activities - mental health guidelines required.

(1) (a) Each public and private middle school, junior high school, and high school shall require each coach of a youth athletic activity to complete a biennial mental health education course.

(b) Each private club or public recreation facility and each athletic league that sponsors youth athletic activities shall require each coach with whom a club, facility, or league directly contracts with, formally engages, or employs to coach a youth athletic activity to complete a biennial mental health education course.

(2) (a) The mental health education course required by subsection (1) of this section must include information regarding the following:

(I) A coach's impact on the mental health of youth athletes;

(II) A wellness framework for youth athletes;

(III) Stress, anxiety disorders, and depression;

(IV) Trauma;

(V) Substance abuse; and

(VI) Suicide prevention.

(b) The mental health education course may be held in conjunction with the concussion recognition education course required pursuant to section 25-43-103 (1)(a).

(c) An organization or association that a school or school district is a member of may designate specific education courses as sufficient to meet the requirements described in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) If a youth athlete is removed from play for a suspected concussion, the youth athlete's coach or the club's, league's, or public recreation facility's other designated personnel shall notify the athlete's parent or legal guardian and advise that the athlete seek evaluation from a licensed health-care provider for appropriate medical and behavioral health guidance regarding potential physical, cognitive, or psychological symptoms associated with a concussion.

(4) Nothing in this part 2 abrogates or limits the protections applicable to public entities and public employees established pursuant to the "Colorado Governmental Immunity Act", article 10 of title 24; volunteers and board members and nonprofit directors, officers, and trustees described pursuant to sections 13-21-115.7 and 13-21-116; or ski area operators protected pursuant to sections 33-44-112 and 33-44-113.

(5) An athletic coach of a youth athletic activity who is not entitled to any of the protections preserved in subsection (4) of this section and who acts in good faith to comply with the requirements of this part 2 is not subject to civil liability for any act or omission related to the implementation of this part 2 unless the act or omission constitutes gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct.

Source: L. 2026: Entire part added, (SB 26-060), ch. 105, p. 431, § 1, effective August 12.

ARTICLE 44

Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education Grant Program

25-44-101. Definitions.

25-44-102. Comprehensive human sexuality education grant program - creation - notification to schools - report - rules.

25-44-103. Comprehensive human sexuality education grant program - oversight entity - duties - application process.

25-44-104. Gifts, grants, and donations - uses.