they will just want the best option to beat the rival....

But a Colorado parent of a football player who wants to go to the next level... they are the ones who are going to see what it means to live in a flyover state.

Going back 3 years if I could do anything different as a parent of a gifted player...

1) look at a different HS. Check out who the coach is and make sure that the system fits the kid. Make sure that the school has a history of getting kids recruited... because it does matter... many times a kid is overlooked because they don't play for the brand name school. Make sure that the roster has the kid starting as a freshman if possible and at least by Sophomore year.
2) put the kid in the brand name gym or trainer. Even if you don't agree with the philosophies or training methods... as a QB we work out with Fairchild... he is reasonably priced and excellent trainer... best one in the state as far as I am concerned. But he doesn't market his kids like those brand name gyms do... they lack in training but they are excellent at marketing.
3) get the kid into a bunch of competitions in his 8th, 9th, and 10th grade years to give him stars. You pay for stars... and recruiters and alumni love stars... the rating system is hugely flawed but that is what fans and coaches want... stars. Covid killed us on those things....

As a normal CSU fan... just enjoy what is put on the field. But know that many Colorado kids will get overlooked and they days of Sonny type of recruiting are over.