DENVER – Up to 150 people will be allowed in the stands during this weekend’s football championship games in Pueblo, the Colorado High School Athletics Association announced Tuesday.
CHSAA said that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment “indicated in a letter” Monday to CHSAA’s commissioner that it would allow 75 spectators per team in the stands for the games after pushback from families, schools and the association.
CHSAA said that schools will manage the distribution of tickets for the games.
"Our qualifying teams, school communities and staff were anxious about receiving a favorable decision," said CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. "We submitted our reconsideration request on Friday and have spent numerous days asking our stakeholders and media partners to be patient. We are a small piece of the puzzle within the many decisions being made by state officials in these challenging times."
Per the guidelines from the CDPHE, non-household groups will have to maintain 6 feet of distance between one another and wear masks at all times; the spectators for each respective team will have to enter and exit through different places; spectators for the two teams will have to use different facilities.
CSU Pueblo is the only venue the CDPHE approved to host the games and granted the variance asked for by CHSAA.
CHSAA is expected to announce more details in a news conference at noon on Tuesday.
Games will start Thursday with the 6-man and 8-man championship games. The 2A championship will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, followed by the 4A championship at 6 p.m.
The 1A championship will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by the 3A championship at 2 p.m. and the 5A championship at 6 p.m.
