Colorado Girls Lacrosse Preseason Rankings Are Here. Full 4A and 5A Poll.

The 2026 Colorado girls lacrosse preseason rankings give us our first snapshot of how both 4A and 5A are shaping up heading into March.

These rankings reflect returning talent, last season’s results, and how coaches see the field before games begin. Once the season starts, results and strength of schedule will shift the conversation quickly.

The regular season opens March 5 and runs through May 2. Postseason play begins May 5 for 4A and May 6 for 5A. The 5A semifinals are May 12 and the 4A semifinals are May 13 at Englewood High School. State championships will be held May 15 at Peter Barton Stadium at the University of Denver.

Here is the full preseason poll.

Class 5A

1 Valor Christian
2 Regis Jesuit
3 Colorado Academy
4 Fairview
5 ThunderRidge
6 Heritage
6 Kent Denver
8 Cherry Creek
9 Denver East
10 Ralston Valley

Also receiving votes: Northfield, Arapahoe, Chatfield, Poudre School District, Pine Creek, Rock Canyon.

Our Take on 5A

Valor Christian opens at No. 1 as the defending state champion. That is expected. They set the standard last season and enter with the target on their back.

Regis Jesuit at No. 2 and Colorado Academy at No. 3 keep the top tier tight. Fairview and ThunderRidge round out a strong top five.

The tie at No. 6 between Heritage and Kent Denver signals how close the middle of this classification could be. Cherry Creek at No. 8 is another program that can move up quickly if early results go their way.

5A feels competitive at the top, but there is depth throughout. Once league play begins, separation will come from consistency and strength of schedule.

Class 4A

1 Evergreen
2 Golden
3 Battle Mountain
4 Mead
5 Green Mountain
6 Steamboat Springs
7 Aspen
8 Roaring Fork
9 Mullen
10 Air Academy

Also receiving votes: Cheyenne Mountain, Dakota Ridge, Durango, Eaglecrest, Grand Junction, Holy Family, Horizon, Thompson Valley.

Our Take on 4A

Evergreen opens at No. 1 as the defending champion. They earned that respect. The question now is who closes the gap.

Golden and Battle Mountain sit right behind them and will push early. Mead and Green Mountain round out the top five in what looks like a balanced field.

From No. 3 through No. 10, the separation is not dramatic. 4A has a history of tightening up as the season progresses, and this year looks similar. A few key wins in March and early April could change the outlook quickly once the Seedings Index rankings begin.

What Matters Now

This is the only coaches poll of the season. After this, rankings will shift to the Seedings Index once enough games have been played.

Preseason rankings reflect perception. They do not account for injuries, breakout players, or how a young roster develops over the first few weeks.

Opening day is almost here. Now we find out which teams turn preseason expectations into postseason runs.

Rankings and season information sourced from CHSAA.