Youth sports are one of the most powerful and overlooked public health tools of our time. The evidence is clear and compelling: consistent participation in sports can change the trajectory of a young person’s life, improving health, strengthening communities, and even boosting our economy.

A growing body of research shows that youth sports are far more than games and play. They provide a form of preventive medicine and a catalyst for social and economic change. Meeting national youth sports participation goals could avert hundreds of thousands of weight-related diseases, improve quality of life, and save more than $47 billion in health and productivity costs across a single generation. Put simply: if we want a healthier, more resilient Colorado, we should invest in sports.

Consider the status quo. In 2024, chronic diseases and mental illness consumed $4.9 trillion—90% of U.S. healthcare spending and nearly 18% of GDP. Sports are one of the most effective defenses we have. They foster lifelong habits that lower risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and depression.

They also help young people thrive emotionally and academically. In an age dominated by screens and rising youth mental health struggles, the case for expanding access to sports has never been stronger.

While only a small fraction of young athletes go on to play college or professional sports, the real story lies in the benefits for everyone who participates under caring, developmentally-focused coaches. Sports cultivate character, discipline, teamwork, and resilience—skills that last a lifetime.

For young people facing adversity, the impact can be transformative. Science shows that sports can act as Protective and Compensatory Experiences (PACEs), buffering against stress and helping heal the scars of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, neglect, or family dysfunction. ACEs are tragically common in under-resourced communities and strongly linked to poor health and lower productivity later in life. Sports, when safe and supportive, can change this trajectory—helping youth not only beat the odds but change them.

As former U.S. Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders observed: “We cannot educate a child who is not healthy, and we cannot keep them healthy if they are not educated.” Sports sit squarely at that intersection.

Regular involvement in sports delivers proven benefits:

Mental wellness: Lower rates of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and substance abuse.

Physical health: Stronger bones and cardiovascular systems, with reduced risk of obesity and chronic illness.

Emotional regulation: Training to act with intention rather than reaction.

Academic achievement: Improved memory, creativity, and problem-solving.

Social skills: Communication, leadership, and teamwork, especially empowering for girls.

Healthy habits across generations: Young athletes are eight times more likely to remain active as adults, and active parents raise active children.

Despite these benefits, barriers persist. The professionalization of youth sports has created a “pay-to-play” model that excludes too many families. Early specialization and pressure to win cause burnout and injury, with the average dropout age just 11 years old. Abuse within sports, though increasingly exposed, still requires vigilance and reform.

These pitfalls don’t erase the promise of sports, rather they demand intentional solutions. Access, safety, and fun—not professional-level performance—should be our guiding values.

Colorado is taking bold steps to unlock the full potential of youth sports. Our state was the first in the nation to pass athlete safety legislation and is pioneering a statewide initiative to expand access and improve quality. The vision is simple yet profound: make sport, movement, and play a basic right for every child.

This investment is not just about health—it’s about return on investment for our communities. Sports can help build a more productive workforce, reduce healthcare costs, and strengthen social bonds across generations. In a state that values both rugged individualism and community spirit, youth sports can be a unifying force for good.

One powerful vehicle to expand access is Youth Sports Giving Day, a project of the Daniels Fund and Project Play Colorado, that raised more than $5.2 million to help expand access for young people to play sports throughout the state.

This is an opportunity to invest in Colorado’s future. When we support equitable access to sports, we are planting seeds of resilience, character, and health that will bear fruit for decades to come.

Sheila Ohlsson Walker, Ph.D., CFA, of Englewood, is a former professional tennis player, behavioral geneticist, mother of three boys, and dedicated advocate for health and positive youth development through sports.