NIL rules by state
Colorado NIL rules for college and high school athletes
Colorado college athletes can earn NIL money under the state's NIL law (SB 20-123), which HB 25-1041, signed March 28, 2025, changed so Colorado colleges may pay athletes directly. Colorado high school athletes can earn NIL money under CHSAA Bylaw 2000, as long as it is not connected to their school or team, no collective or booster pays them, and the athletic director is told within 10 days.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | Yes: C.R.S. 23-16-301 et seq. | SB 20-123 (2020), amended by HB 25-1041 (2025) |
| High school | Allowed with limits | Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) |
Key facts
- College law: SB 20-123 (2020); amended by HB 25-1041, signed and effective March 28, 2025.
- HB 25-1041 lets Colorado colleges and athletic associations compensate athletes for their NIL and repealed the old ban on contracts that conflict with team contracts.
- Personally identifiable information in NIL agreements is exempt from the Colorado Open Records Act; schools report NIL spending by gender and sport to the state.
- High school: CHSAA Bylaw 2000.3-2000.4 (2026-27) allows NIL not connected to the student's school, team or activity program.
- No pay tied to participation or performance, no enrollment incentive, and no money from the school, booster clubs, individual boosters or collectives.
- Notify the school's athletic director within 10 days of signing any NIL agreement.
On this page
Colorado NIL law for college athletes
Colorado passed its college NIL law, SB 20-123, in 2020. It bars Colorado colleges from enforcing rules that stop athletes from earning NIL money and gives athletes a right to seek an injunction if a school violates it.
HB 25-1041, signed by Gov. Jared Polis on March 28, 2025 and effective that day, rewrote the law for the House settlement era:
- Colleges and athletic associations may compensate athletes for the use of their NIL.
- The law now covers anyone eligible to compete in an intercollegiate sport.
- The prohibition on athlete contracts that conflict with team contracts, and related provisions, were repealed.
- Each college sends the state Department of Higher Education a copy of its annual report to its athletics governing body, including spending by gender and sport.
- Personally identifiable information in NIL agreements and related communications is exempt from public inspection under the Colorado Open Records Act.
Division I athletes in Colorado also report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go.
Colorado high school NIL (CHSAA Bylaw 2000)
CHSAA Bylaw 2000 (2026-27 Handbook) lets a student benefit from their NIL as long as it is not connected to their CHSAA high school, team or activity program. Under its guidelines:
- Pay may not depend on athletic participation, performance or achievement, and may not be an incentive to enroll or stay at a school.
- Pay may not come from the school, a booster club, an individual booster, a collective, or anyone acting for the school or athletic program.
- No school or district names, logos, uniforms or mascots, no CHSAA logo, no school apparel or equipment, and no member school facilities.
- No endorsements that conflict with the school district's policy, such as tobacco, alcohol and controlled substances.
- Within 10 days of entering any NIL agreement, the student or a parent must notify the school's athletic director.
NIL may not be used to violate CHSAA's recruiting rule (Bylaw 1900). A student whose family or representative enters an agreement that breaks these guidelines loses eligibility immediately, and lost amateur standing can mean up to one full calendar year of ineligibility unless the CHSAA Board reinstates the student.
Frequently asked questions
Can Colorado high school athletes get NIL deals?
Yes, under CHSAA Bylaw 2000, if the deal is not connected to the school or team, is not tied to performance or enrollment, is not paid by boosters or collectives, and the athletic director is told within 10 days.
Can Colorado colleges pay athletes directly?
Yes. HB 25-1041, effective March 28, 2025, lets Colorado colleges and athletic associations compensate athletes for their NIL.
Next steps
Sources
- HB25-1041, Student Athlete Name Image or Likeness — Colorado General Assembly
- SB20-123 — Colorado General Assembly
- CHSAA Bylaws 2026-27 (Bylaw 2000) — Colorado High School Activities Association
- Student-Athlete NIL Deals — College Sports Commission
This is general information, not legal advice. NIL rules differ by state, school, association and sport, and they change often. Check the official sources linked on this page and talk with your school's compliance office, your state association or a licensed attorney before you sign anything.