The Colorado Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) is committed to ensuring that every Colorado secondary school athlete has access to appropriate medical care—best achieved through regular, direct access to Certified Athletic Trainers (ATs).

Why Athletic Trainers Matter for Your District
Colorado school boards carry a legal and ethical responsibility to provide safe environments for student-athletes. Certified Athletic Trainers are:

• Healthcare professionals trained in injury prevention, emergency response, and safe return-to-play.

• A school’s on-site risk manager, reducing preventable injuries and protecting districts from liability.

• A bridge between students, families, coaches, administrators, and physicians.

• Investing in athletic trainers is not just about sports—it’s about student safety, equity of access to care, and responsible stewardship of district resources.

CATA's Commitment to School Boards

​CATA’s vision is simple:

• Access to appropriate sports medicine care for ALL Colorado secondary school athletes.

• To support that vision, CATA is committed to partnering with school boards across the state to:

  • Increase access to Certified Athletic Trainers in all Colorado secondary schools.

  • Provide practical, board-ready information on safety, liability, and best practices.

  • Support urban, suburban, and rural districts in finding solutions that fit their context and budget.

 

How the CATA can Help Your Schools

We are happy to engage with your board and leadership team in whatever way is most useful and appropriate, including:

School Board & Leadership Presentations

• Student-athlete safety and risk management

• Liability reduction and standard of care

• Models for employing or contracting Certified Athletic Trainers

• Q&A sessions with experienced Colorado ATs and CATA leadership.

Connecting You With Athletic Training Service Providers

• Help connect schools and districts with third-party providers of athletic training services (e.g., hospitals, clinics, independent groups).

• Share examples of service models used successfully in other Colorado communities.

Supporting the Creation of AT Positions Within Your District

If your district is ready to build or expand its own AT program, CATA can assist with:

• Sample job descriptions for secondary school athletic trainers

• Guidance on credentialing requirements, license verification, and tracking

• Salary range recommendations based on market data and level of responsibility

• Suggestions for supervision models, workload distribution, and multi-site coverage

• Strategies for phased implementation in districts starting from zero coverage