High school sports officials get pay increase

The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Legislative Council approved a plan to increase the pay structure for high school game officials in Colorado on Jan. 24 by a strong majority vote.

In addition to addressing Colorado's need to improve officials' pay, the effort is also being promoted as a way to help address the shortage of game officials across all sports.

A CHSAA press release stated, "The proposal, which is a 3-year gradual increase structure beginning next school year (2023-24), will place Colorado among the leaders for official's fees among neighboring states and will make the State competitive Nationally."

Pay for officiating a varsity contest in most sports will be $85 in the 2023-24 school year, increasing to $90 for 2024-25, and increasing again to $95 in 2025-26. Baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track & field, and wrestling officials will be covered by the increase, while volleyball and swimming officials will see lesser payments, starting at $75 per contest and increasing to $85 per contest by year three. There are also provisions for additional pay at $20 per hour for events lasting longer than four hours.

"It was a fantastic day for our officials in Colorado with the passing of the officials' fee structure," Assistant Commissioner overseeing officials Mike Book said.

"The passing of this new pay structure is a great way for CHSAA member schools to send an inherent message to game officials that we value them as partners in our mission to provide quality athletic and activity programs for our student-athletes across the State of Colorado," CHSAA Commissioner Michael Krueger said. "This is a substantial commitment from our schools, and they deserve all the credit. It is a commitment that does not come without serious financial challenges; however, the membership recognized the need and made it a priority. At the end of the day the reality is that this new pay structure makes Colorado not only competitive but places us amongst the leaders in remuneration for game officials, we are proud of that."

The increases over the next three years will ultimately result in about a 48% total increase in pay to officials by year three. To help schools handle the increased budget demands, as well as get officials' pay in each sport where it needs to be, there will be gradual annual increase across all sports, ranging from 40% to 60% per sport.

In addition, new statewide mileage payment increases were also approved. There will be an increase from $.40 per mile to $.50 per mile in 2023-2024 for travel more than 20 miles one way, $.55 per mile in 2024-2025, and $.60 per mile in 2025-2026. In the Denver/Colorado Springs metro areas, schools will pay a $10 travel stipend. The mileage travel stipend is paid to an official for one or more assignments per day at a school for all levels. This stipend was approved at the 2019 Legislative Council Meeting.

"This structure, along with the 'You Look Good in Stripes' campaign, is a step in the right direction to relieve some of the workload burden on our current official's and getting back to schools playing on coveted nights," Book added. Anyone interested in becoming an official, can fill out the official's interest form on the http://www.chsaanow.com website.