Yes. Colorado requires background checks for youth sports coaches under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-403 and § 26.5-4-402. Youth sports organizations must have their coaches checked by a consumer reporting agency regulated under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and the check must cover sexual offenses and felony convictions.
What Colorado’s Background Check Law Requires
Colorado’s statute requires an FCRA-regulated consumer reporting agency to run the check, rather than leaving the choice of process entirely up to the organization. The check must include a Social Security number trace and a search of the Colorado judicial public records system, in addition to screening for sexual offenses and felony convictions. Organizations that rely on the results in good faith receive statutory immunity from civil liability, which gives programs a clear incentive to follow the process the law lays out.
Who the Law Covers
Colorado defines a coach broadly as anyone employed or volunteering as a coach, manager, or supervisor of a youth athletic activity. That definition puts unpaid team parents and volunteer managers on the same footing as paid coaching staff.
What the Check Includes
Since July 1, 2025, Colorado has layered on two additional requirements: coaches must complete annual mandatory reporter training, and organizations must post the attorney general’s notice on their website. So a fully compliant Colorado program has three moving pieces: the FCRA-regulated background check itself, annual training, and a posted public notice.
How Colorado’s Law Compares to Other States
Colorado is one of thirteen states with a youth sports background check statute, and its requirement for an FCRA-regulated agency plus mandatory reporter training goes further than many of the others. See our full breakdown of which states require background checks for youth sports for how Colorado’s law compares to the other twelve.
What This Means for Your Youth Sports Organization
Colorado programs need a consumer reporting agency that meets FCRA standards, a documented training record for every coach, and the attorney general’s notice posted where families can see it. Building background checks for coaches into your onboarding process from day one keeps all three requirements moving together instead of becoming three separate compliance projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Colorado require background checks for youth sports coaches?
Yes. Colorado law (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-4-403, § 26.5-4-402) requires youth sports organizations to have coaches checked by an FCRA-regulated consumer reporting agency, covering sexual offenses and felony convictions.
What does a Colorado coach background check have to include?
It must include a Social Security number trace, a search of the Colorado judicial public records system, and screening for sexual offenses and felony convictions, run through an FCRA-regulated consumer reporting agency.
Does Colorado require coaches to complete training in addition to a background check?
Yes. Since July 1, 2025, Colorado has required coaches to complete annual mandatory reporter training, and organizations must post the attorney general’s notice on their website.
Are Colorado youth sports organizations protected from liability if they rely on a background check?
Yes. Organizations that rely in good faith on the results of a properly conducted background check receive statutory immunity from civil liability under Colorado law.