High school NIL: Allowed

Colorado high school NIL rules

Yes. High school athletes in Colorado can take NIL deals, with conditions.

Tell the school: 10 days, to the athletic director
Agents: Not allowed
If a rule is broken: Loss of eligibility
Reaches middle school: Generally no

High school

Who sets the rules

CHSAA (Colorado High School Activities Association)

The rule

CHSAA Bylaw 2000.3-2000.4: a student may benefit from NIL provided it is not connected to their CHSAA high school, team or activity program and follows the 2000.4 guidelines.

Tell the school

10 days, to the athletic director

Within 10 days of entering any NIL contract/agreement the student or parents/guardians must notify the member school's Athletic Director (2000.6). No dollar threshold, no form.

Off limits

No pay contingent on participation/performance; no enrollment inducement; no compensation from school, booster club, individual booster, collective, or agent of the school; no school/district/CHSAA marks, logos, uniforms, mascots; no school apparel/equipment; no member-school facilities; no endorsements conflicting with district policy (tobacco, alcohol, controlled substances); NIL may not be used to violate Recruitment Rule 1900; no agreement with an agent/entity to manage athletic career before leaving high school except college letter of intent (2000.51).

Agents

Not allowed

Career-management agreements barred until HS attendance ends; 2000.51.

If a rule is broken

Immediate loss of eligibility (2000.33); loss of amateur standing makes student ineligible in that sport/activity for up to one calendar year from discovery or until reinstated by CHSAA Board (2000.7).

Middle school, club and travel ball

Amateur rule applies to CHSAA-sanctioned activities (2000.1, 2000.9); does not reach club play or middle school.

Recent changes

Bylaw language revised/clarified for 2025-26 (CHSAA notice July 8, 2025); CHSAA says it clarified rather than changed policy.

College state law

Law in force

We are confirming whether the 2025 amendment removed the old 72-hour disclosure duty.

The law

C.R.S. 23-16-301 et seq. (SB 20-123; HB 21-1328; amended by HB 25-1041, Chapter 38, signed and effective March 28, 2025)

Disclosure

HB 25-1041 (eff. March 28, 2025) repealed the team-contract conflict prohibition and related provisions.

Schools paying athletes

Allowed: institutions and athletic associations may compensate athletes for NIL (HB 25-1041). Adds CORA exemption for athlete PII in NIL contracts and annual spending report to CDHE.

For high school recruits

HB 25-1041 extends the statute's requirements to any individual who is eligible to engage in an intercollegiate sport, and the records exemption covers 'prospective student athletes'. No HS-specific provision.

Recent changes

HB 25-1041 (2025).

NCAA Division I, everywhere

Every deal worth $600 or more (added up per payer) entered since July 1, 2025 or the start of junior year, whichever is later, must be reported through NIL Go within 14 days of starting classes or before the first game.

Recruits enrolling on or after August 1, 2026 may hire agents under the April 15, 2026 Division I rule. The NJCAA still ends eligibility for a written agent agreement.

The full college-bound guide

Quick answers

Can high school athletes in Colorado make NIL money?

Yes. High school athletes in Colorado can take NIL deals, with conditions. CHSAA Bylaw 2000.3-2000.4: a student may benefit from NIL provided it is not connected to their CHSAA high school, team or activity program and follows the 2000.4 guidelines.

Do Colorado athletes have to tell the school about an NIL deal?

10 days, to the athletic director. Within 10 days of entering any NIL contract/agreement the student or parents/guardians must notify the member school's Athletic Director (2000.6). No dollar threshold, no form.

Does a travel ball or club deal count in Colorado?

State association rules follow the athlete, not where the deal came from. A deal through a travel team is fine as long as nothing ties back to the school team. Amateur rule applies to CHSAA-sanctioned activities (2000.1, 2000.9); does not reach club play or middle school.

Can a Colorado high school athlete use an agent for NIL?

Not allowed. Career-management agreements barred until HS attendance ends; 2000.51.

Sources

Last verified November 4, 2026. High school rule text: CHSAA Bylaws 2026-27, Article 20, 2000.1-2000.11.

Get Colorado alerts

One email when Colorado's rules change.