DENVER – A Colorado legislative committee Thursday stripped funding for a measure that would limit Native American mascots at public schools.
Lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee backed an amendment to House Bill 1165 that cuts the $200,000 needed to implement the legislation.
Now the effort would be dependent on gifts, grants and donations, though sponsors say they have not lined up any commitments.
“We’re hoping for private contributions to help get the program going and continue the process,” said Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora, a co-sponsor of the bill.
After budget writers finished crafting the state budget last week, limited dollars were available for programs not already included. Facing constraints, sponsors realized they wouldn’t get the public money needed to get the program off the ground.
Part of the legislation would create a fund for schools to assist them with making the transition, including eliminating logos. Now, money for that would need to come from private donations.
The bill would establish a committee to consider Colorado schools that use Native American mascots. The committee would need to approve use of the mascot, or schools would need to stop using it.
It would set a fine if the school continues using the mascot after it has been rejected by the committee. So, it’s possible that the fund could draw from penalties, if any are assessed.
The House Appropriations Committee advanced the measure to the full House for debate on a 7-6 party-line vote, with Republicans opposing the effort.
The bill faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled Senate.
The issue gained steam after national pressure on the NFL’s Washington Redskins to change the team’s name.
At a marathon hearing last month where the bill crossed its first hurdle, throngs of Native Americans lined up to share emotional stories about being bombarded by what they consider to be racist images.
But opponents, including school administrators, worry about costs associated with the proposed mandate. They encourage a local-control approach, rather than a state mandate.
About 18 schools could be impacted by the legislation. Durango is not home to schools that use Native American mascots, but Montrose High School goes by the Montrose Indians.
pmarcus@durangoherald.com
