Colorado Safer Youth Sports Act


The Colorado Safer Youth Sports Act (Safer Youth Sports | Colorado General Assembly), effective as

of July 1, 2025, imposes training and background check requirements on youth sports coaches,

including those involved in FCA Sports leagues and clubs.


FCA has zero tolerance for abuse and misconduct. All participants in the FCA community must play an

active role in creating an environment free from emotional, physical or sexual abuse. All participants are

likewise responsible for ensuring that they comply with FCA’s policies and state law, like the Safer Youth

Sports Act. Here’s what you need to know:


1. All coaches must take annual mandatory reporter training.

Colorado’s law requires all coaches to take mandatory reporting training that meets the state

requirements. FCA goes further and requires all Adult Participants that work with minors, including staff,

coaches, and volunteers, to undergo mandatory reporting training. FCA also requires all such Adult

Participants to complete abuse prevention training that covers:

  • Recognizing and preventing prohibited conduct
  • Proper one-on-one interactions with minors
  • Mandated reporting procedures for abuse disclosures


2. All coaches must undergo background checks.

Colorado’s law requires that all paid and volunteer coaches (anyone that provides more than occasional

assistance) undergo a criminal background check covering:

  • Social Security number trace
  • Colorado court records
  • Offenses like felony child abuse or sexual misconduct

FCA’s internal policies already require that all Adult Participants that work with minors, including FCA

staff, coaches, and volunteers, undergo a background check before serving with FCA.


3. Youth Sports organizations must have a formal Code of Conduct and prohibited-conduct policy.

The law requires FCA to share its policies with clear conduct rules for coaches, parents, spectators, and

athletes, including a system for reporting and dealing with violations.


FCA’s Athlete Safety Policy covers such conduct rules and reporting. The Policy is intended to help all

FCA Sports participants – including coaches, athletes, parents, referees, and others – detect and report

abuse, respond to it and prevent future occurrences. It includes 6 key components: Prohibited Conduct,

Mandatory Reporting, Background Screening, Education and Training, Limiting One on-One

Interactions, and Other Youth Protection Policies.


If you have questions regarding Colorado’s Safer Youth Sports law, or any of FCA’s policies, please

contact FCA’s Support Services team at (800) 289-0909.