Organization’s Code of Conduct

As outlined below, this Code of Conduct applies to all Athlete Participants, Parents & Spectators as well as Staff & Volunteers, and is supported by our focus on Athlete Wellness & SafeSport.

Athlete Participant Code of Conduct

As an athlete participating with Ciclismo Youth Foundation, its DBAs and known names, including but not limited to Send Town Bike Club (“Organization”), I understand that my actions reflect on myself, my team, and the Organization. I commit to upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship, respect, and effort by adhering to the following Athlete Participant Code of Conduct:

Commitment to Respect and Sportsmanship

As an athlete participant I will:

  • Treat teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials with respect.

  • Follow all team, league, and program rules, including safety-related rules.

  • Take responsibility for my behavior, on and off my bike.

  • Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and good sportsmanship, whether winning or losing.

  • Tell an adult, coach, professional, or Safe2Tell for the safety of myself and others if I am aware of any person, athlete, coach, or adult breaking the code of conduct, laws, or rules.

  • Call 911 or contact law enforcement if you or another child is in danger. You can notify 1-844-CO-4-Kids

Practice and Race Expectations

To ensure a positive and competitive experience, I will:

  • Attend all practices and races on time and be prepared to participate.

  • Give my best effort at all times and focus on improving my skills.

  • Listen to my coaches' instructions and follow their guidance.

  • Support my teammates with positive encouragement.

  • Accept officials' decisions without arguing or showing unsportsmanlike behavior if I am in a race environment. 

Prohibited Conduct 

The following behaviors are strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action:

  • Using abusive, profane, or inappropriate language at any event, including practices, races, and team functions.

  • Providing or offering alcohol, illegal substances, nicotine (including vaping), medications, or supplements to any athlete at any program event or facility. Drugs or supplements may not be taken without prior parent/guardian consent.

  • Engaging in taunting, intimidation, bullying, hazing (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-9-124), or harassment of other athletes, coaches, or officials.

  • Cheating, intentionally harming others, or engaging in dangerous play.

  • Engaging in fights, arguments, or disrespectful behavior toward any participant.

Compliance and Accountability

I understand that if I fail to abide by this Code of Conduct, I may face disciplinary actions, including but not limited to:

  • Verbal warning from a coach or official.

  • Loss of playing time or other disciplinary actions, such as writing a letter to impacted parties

  • Suspension from practices or races.

  • Removal from the team or league for severe or repeated violations.

I agree to abide by this Athlete Code of Conduct and represent the Organization with respect, sportsmanship, and integrity.

Parent & Spectator Code of Conduct

Youth sports exist for the development and enjoyment of young athletes. As a parent/guardian or spectator, your words and actions significantly impact the experience of all participants, including athletes, coaches, officials, and fellow spectators. To foster a positive and respectful environment, all parents and guardians agree to uphold the following Code of Conduct:

  • Encourage and support all athletes, regardless of team affiliation.

  • Promote sportsmanship and respect for coaches, officials, athletes, and fellow spectators.

  • Applaud effort, improvement, and fair play.

  • Allow coaches to coach and officials to officiate without interference.

  • Address any concerns privately and appropriately, following a 24-hour cooldown period if needed.

  • Any adult who observes or suspects child abuse is encouraged to report it to 1-844-CO-4-Kids or 911. If you see something, please say something and feel empowered to intervene and keep children safe. This includes actions that are physical, emotional, sexual, and neglectful abuse. You do not need eyewitness evidence to report.

Prohibited Conduct

The following behaviors are strictly prohibited and may result in removal from practices or events:

  • Using abusive, profane, or inappropriate language at any event, including practices, races, team meetings, fundraisers, or otherwise.

  • Providing or offering illegal substances, including alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine (including vaping) to any athlete at any program event or facility.

  • An athlete may not be given over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, or supplements without prior parental/guardian consent.

  • Taunting, intimidating, or harassing athletes, officials, coaches, or other spectators.

  • Consuming or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at any program event.

  • Engaging in behavior that jeopardizes the safety or well-being of an athlete or any other participant.

I agree to abide by this Code of Conduct and ensure a positive, safe, and respectful environment for all participants.

Staff & Volunteer Code of Conduct

As an Employee (Staff), Volunteer, or Board Member of Ciclismo Youth Foundation, its DBAs and known names, including but not limited to Send Town Bike Club (“Organization”), I recognize that I hold a position of trust, influence, and responsibility. I understand that my actions directly impact the development, safety, and enjoyment of athletes in Organization’s programs, especially those directly under my guidance. I commit to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and respect.

General Standards of Behavior:

  1. I will maintain a positive sporting behavior and treat all respectfully. I will not encourage or participate in physical or verbal altercations, including initiating fights or arguments with any coach, parent, athlete, participant, official, or any other person.

  2. I will encourage all athletes, colleagues, and families to engage in positive sporting behavior and reinforce the tenets of an inclusive culture of respect, growth, camaraderie, and friendly competition

  3. I will not support, encourage, or allow any behaviors which would endanger the health, safety or well-being of others

  4. I will refrain from using or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or smoking/vaping at Organization or associated events while in a coach, staff or volunteer capacity. 

  5. I will maintain and encourage respectful language and conduct, refrain from using profanity, and/or not abuse or threaten others (not limited to verbal or physical acts). 

  6. I will treat any staff, volunteer, parent, athlete, participant, official or any other person with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability and will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct or verbal/physical threats or abuse directed at any individual.

  7. I will aim to prevent and take action if athletes, parents, guardians, or spectators representing Organization verbally assault or intimidate anyone at any time.

  8. I will maintain professional relationships at all times, ensuring interactions remain appropriate, respectful, and within the context of sport, focused on fostering a safe and supportive environment. This includes in-person, virtual, and social media interactions.

  9. I acknowledge that this Code of Conduct applies to all of my activities and conduct while associated with Organization.

  10. I am aware of and will support the Organization Parent & Spectator Code of Conduct as well as the Organization Athlete Code of Conduct.

  11. For USA Cycling sanctioned programs & events: I will act in compliance with USA Cycling’s Code of Conduct

  12. For Colorado High School Cycling League sanctioned programs & events: I will act in compliance with with the League's Member Code of Conduct 

Prohibited Conduct

The following Prohibited Conduct outlines unacceptable actions while engaging with Organization. All references to prohibited conduct are defined by Colorado law or the Organization Prohibited Conduct Policy:

  1. Child Abuse: Including physical, emotional, sexual, medical abuse, or neglect.

  2. Substance Provision: Offering or providing players alcohol, tobacco (including vaping), or illegal drugs. Parents/guardians' approval is required and advice from medical professionals is recommended before consuming or incorporating any over-the-counter or supplements including weight loss/dietary supplements.

  3. Profane or Abusive Behavior: Any verbal, visual, physical, or virtual behavior involving profanity or abuse that impacts minor athletes.

  4. Unlawful Behavior: Breaking any Federal, State, or Local laws.

  5. Misconduct: Emotional and physical misconduct, including stalking, bullying, hazing (Colo. Rev. Stat.§ 18-9-124), and harassment.

  6. Reporting Failures: Failing to report child abuse or neglect as required by law.

  7. Retaliation: Retaliating against individuals for disclosing or making a report of child abuse or for participating in the resolution of such a report is strictly prohibited and will result in serious disciplinary action.

  8. Aiding and Abetting: Supporting or enabling prohibited behaviors.

  9. Sexual Misconduct:

    1. Sexual assault or unlawful sexual contact.

    2. Displaying, providing, or exchanging sexually explicit or pornographic material with athletes.

    3. Engaging in massages, intimate physical contact, or romantic relationships with minor athletes. Holding uninterruptible or unobservable coaching sessions or meetings. Best practices include ensuring another adult, coach, parent, guardian, or trusted mandatory reporter is present.

Mandatory Reporting

As a mandatory reporter under Colorado law, Senate Bill 24-113 (SB24-113), and other applicable statutes, including Section 19-3-304 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.), mandatory reporters are legally obligated to report any suspected or known instances of child abuse or neglect.

  • Reports must be made when there is reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect or has been observed in circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect.

  • In emergencies, I will call 911. For non-emergencies, I will contact 844-CO-4-KIDS.

  • I understand that good-faith reporting provides immunity from liability, civil or criminal, or termination of employment unless it is determined that the report was made recklessly or misreporting requirement changes, highlighting the disproportional reporting rates for minority communities.

  • Stay informed about updates or additions to the mandated reporter laws as appropriate under 19-3-304 (C.R.S.)

In addition to reporting any suspected or known child abuse or neglect (which is required by law), I am also required to report any prohibited conduct or violations of this Code of Conduct by others. I will make these reports to at least one of the following: the Director of Sport, the Executive Director, or a member of the Board of Directors.

Compliance and Accountability

I will complete all required credentialing, certifications, and training as mandated by Organization as pertinent to my role, including but not limited to:

  • Accepting this Code of Conduct

  • Background Check, in alignment with the List of Convictions within the Colorado High School Cycling League Coach Criminal Background Check Policy

  • SafeSport Training via USA Cycling

  • Organization Coach Training

  • Additional or supplemental training and certifications required by Organization and other governing bodies

Documentation of Incidents

I acknowledge that any incidents related to my conduct will be documented and kept on file by the appropriate organizations for accountability purposes.

Organization Expectations

I will conduct myself in a professional manner and practice good sportsmanship in all cases in which I represent Organization, in any capacity. I agree to:

Act with:

  • Respect

  • Humility

  • Kindness

  • Gratitude

Practice Respect Toward:

  • All athletes, staff, volunteers, partners, officials, spectators, family members and the community as a whole

  • Our local community, trails, and parks and event venues

  • Other trail users

  • Land: no littering on and off trail, only ride open trails

Obey:

  • The Organization Code of Conduct and additional rules & regulations

  • All public signs, rules and regulations

  • All laws, including traffic laws

  • Come prepared & informed to every practice and event

Acknowledgment 

I have read, understood, and agree to uphold this Code of Conduct. I understand that if I fail to conform my conduct to the foregoing, I will be subject to disciplinary action including but not limited to the following, in any order or combination:

  • Verbal warning

  • Written warning

  • Suspension(s)

  • Permanent dismissal/termination