Colorado Youth Education in Shooting Sports
What to expect: divisions, cost, practice, equipment, and safety.
Eligibility is based on school grade, not age:
| Division | Grade |
|---|---|
| Novice | 6th grade and under |
| Intermediate | 7th – 8th grade |
| Jr Varsity | 9th grade / first-year high school competitors |
| Senior | 10th – 12th grade |
| Collegiate | Enrolled in college and meeting eligibility rules |
Families fund their own participation: practice fees, travel, shooting fees, and shells. There is no central COYESS membership fee that covers these — costs are set by each team/range.
Before competing in championship events, athletes must complete a minimum of six team practice sessions — each on a separate day, with at least 25 targets per session.
Beyond that minimum, each team sets its own practice cadence, typically weekly or biweekly during the season.
“The first and foremost responsibility of the head coach is to ensure the safety of all participants.” Every team practices under adult supervision, and COYESS athletes are covered through USAYESS insurance.