After several months of debate, the Colorado High School Activities Association formally adopted the use of a 35-second shot clock in prep basketball. The decision came during the association’s legislative council meeting on April 23.
The change takes effect in the 2026-2027 school year for varsity boys and girls teams. The association’s legislative council approved it by a margin of almost 3-to-2.
The agenda said those in favor cited a need to prepare players for college basketball’s shot clock, an improved pace of play and the chance to reward good defense.
Those opposed pointed to initial set-up costs (perhaps between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on the electrical structure of the gym, according to the agenda), the potential increased cost for game workers and for training a shot clock operator.
There was no discussion during the council’s meeting.
There were two other shot-clock proposals on the agenda. Supporters withdrew one agenda item after the council approved the shot-clock item. The second, which would have applied to class 6A schools only, failed.
The council also turned down a bid to increase the size of the state basketball tournament from 32 to 40 teams. Fifty-seven percent voted no.
The proposal called for the top 24 teams to receive a first-round bye. Chaparral Athletic Director Rob Johnson said players and coaches want to be able to play in one last tournament game.
“Scheduling really helps,” he said. “Many of these programs want a competitive, first-round game. It’s a chance for (seeds) 25 to 40 to have a competitive, fun playoff experience.”
No one spoke in opposition.
Girls flag football
The council also sanctioned girls flag football. Fifty-seven of 66 members voted in favor. Five abstained.
The sanctioning discussion began in January 2022. The sport’s first season included teams in Cherry Creek, Denver and Jefferson County. Eighty-five girls showed up at one school for the opening day of tryouts.
The numbers and popularity of this sport are skyrocketing at this time,” said Board President Ryan West.
“What we’ve received in feedback has been terrific,” said Lakewood Athletic Director Mike Hughes. “We know there are some bumps with this. This has been one of the best things that has happened in my seven years there. It’s lifted our school up. Our kids have taken to it and gravitated to it.”
Adams 12’s district athletic director, Kylie Russell, said her district supported five high schools’ flag football teams. She called it a “highlight of my 13 years as an athletic director.”
“I ask you to seriously consider the impact this will have if you vote this down,” she said. “Enough with the speculation of how we’re going to pull this off. Let those of us who do want to offer flag football figure out the hard stuff.”