Bill to let Colorado college athletes get paid heads to Governor’s desk

DENVER (KRDO) -- College student athletes in Colorado will likely soon be able to profit off of their image and likeness thanks to a new bill that has passed the state House and Senate as of Wednesday.

SB20-123 lets Colorado colleges and universities bypass NCAA rules that say players can't profit off of their likeness, though the NCAA has expressed that it may change the rule.

Wednesday, the bill passed a House reading with no amendments, and it'll now go to Gov. Jared Polis to be signed.

Colorado's bill is similar to a move passed by California last year.

“This bill will give College athletes the opportunity to earn while they learn,” Rep. James Coleman, a Democrat from Denver, said in a statement issued Wednesday. “This is a huge win and we hope that the bill will bring equity to the world of collegiate sports and allow more student athletes to stay in school without fear of financial instability.”

The bill also lets student athletes get legal representation and agents, as long as they let their athletic directors know about it within 72 hours.