Colorado Senate Halts Bill To Limit Native American Mascots

DENVER (AP) — A GOP-led Senate committee has rejected legislation that would have prohibited Native American mascots at Colorado schools unless a tribe approved.

The bill failed Wednesday on a 3-2 party-line vote.

The bill would have directed schools to get permission from a panel of tribes to use or continue to use Native American mascots. Schools that didn't get permission would have been required to stop the use within two years or face a fine of $25,000 a month.

Schools and lawmakers opposed to the bill cited the costs of switching mascots and updating uniforms as a major concern. Supporters argued the state should not condone derogatory team names at schools.

The proposal had passed the House this month by one vote, with every Republican opposed.