Every year in Colorado, certified athletic trainers (ATC) are directly involved in life-saving incidents where the timely use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) makes the difference between life and death. Our members are frequently placed in high-stakes situations where immediate access to an AED is not just important—it is critical.

The Colorado Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) strongly supports the bill sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts (D-8), Senator Iman Jodeh (D-29), Representative Meghan Lukens (D-26), and Representative Lindsay Gilchrist (D-8), which aims to improve AED access in schools. We believe AEDs should be treated as essential infrastructure for any high school that sponsors athletic programs. Just like hiring a certified athletic trainer or implementing emergency action plans, having AEDs on-site—maintained, accessible, and ready to use—is fundamental to protecting student-athletes in moments of crisis.

By supporting this bill, CATA continues its mission to advocate for the health and safety of high school athletes across the state. It also reinforces the role of certified athletic trainers as critical healthcare providers who stand on the front lines of sports medicine and emergency preparedness.

We urge lawmakers and community members to recognize the life-saving potential of this legislation and the lasting positive impact it will have on Colorado’s student-athletes, their families, and the broader athletic healthcare system.