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PARTNERING FOR
SAFER SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS
Keeping Colorado’s Student-Athletes Safe Starts With the Right Team
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:
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Healthcare professionals trained in injury prevention, emergency response, and safe return-to-play.
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A school’s on-site risk manager, reducing preventable injuries and protecting districts from liability.
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A bridge between students, families, coaches, administrators, and physicians.
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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:
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Access to appropriate sports medicine care for ALL Colorado secondary school athletes.
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To support that vision, CATA is committed to partnering with school boards across the state to:
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Increase access to Certified Athletic Trainers in all Colorado secondary schools.
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Provide practical, board-ready information on safety, liability, and best practices.
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Support urban, suburban, and rural districts in finding solutions that fit their context and budget.
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How the CATA can Help Your Schools
School Board & Leadership Presentations
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Liability reduction and standard of care implementation
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Models for employing or contracting Certified Athletic Trainers
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Q&A with experienced ATs and state leaders
Connecting You With Athletic Training Service Providers
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Help connect schools and districts with third-party providers of athletic training services (e.g., hospitals, clinics, independent groups).
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Share examples of service models used successfully in other Colorado communities.
Supporting the Creation of AT Positions Within Your District
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Sample job descriptions
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Guidance on credentialing requirements, license verification, and tracking
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Salary recommendations from market data
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Suggestions for supervision models, workload distribution, and multi-site care.
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Strategies for phased implementation in districts starting from zero care.
Next Steps
Thanks for visiting us at the CASB Annual Conference!
If your board is interested in learning more about athletic training services, or exploring how to bring Certified Athletic Trainers to your schools, please complete the form below. A CATA representative will follow up with information tailored to your district.
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