5A Speech and Debate State Championships in Fort Collins This Weekend

AURORA – The Colorado High School Activities Associations Speech and Debate championship season comes to a close this weekend with the 5A State Championships at Fort Collins High School.

The event will begin today at 4:30 p.m., with the state champions being crowned tomorrow at approximately 6 p.m.

This list of events and definitions can be used to learn about the events contested at each of the state championships. The 5A championships will be awarded in congress, dramatic interpretation, duo interpretation, humorous interpretation, informative speaking, international extemporaneous speaking, Lincoln Douglas debate, national extemporaneous speaking, original oratory, poetry reading, policy debate, program oral interpretation and public forum debate.

The event will feature nine returning champions who will try to defend their titles at this year’s state competition.

In dramatic interpretation, Regis’ Brigid Smith returns, while George Washington’s Ian Levitt will once again compete in original oratory and Carder Squirrell, from Fairview, will take a shot at winning another national extemporaneous speaking title.

Denver East’s Elias Goss and Elijah Goss return to duo interpretation, after winning it in 2023, and in policy debate, Cherry Creek’s duo of Madeline Pierce and Michelle Lisowski will look to defend their title from a year ago.

The final returners are in public forum, as Loveland’s Emma Baldwin and Aiden Hurst will look to capture a second-straight title in the event.