Yuma among schools that could face fines for unapproved Indian mascots

A bill to impose heavy fines on Colorado schools that use unapproved Indian mascots won approval on April 1 from the Senate Education Committee.

Senate Bill 116 is sponsored by Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, who is also the sponsor of the farmworkers bill of rights measure that is awaiting action from the Senate Appropriations Committee.

About 25 schools in Colorado still use Indian mascots, including several with images considered offensive and derogatory. That includes Lamar High School that uses the Savages as its mascot.

Under SB 116, schools that refuse to stop using Indian mascots could face a $25,000 per month fine.

A 2016 report from a gubernatorial task force on schools using Native American mascots listed Arickaree School in Anton (Indians), Yuma High School (Indians) and Weldon Valley schools (Warriors).

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