CO HB1165

Establishes a subcommittee within the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs to evaluate and approve or disapprove use of American Indian mascots by public schools and higher education institutions, with nine voting members from federally recognized tribes and two nonvoting members representing education departments.

Requires all public schools and higher education institutions using American Indian mascots to either cease use or request approval from the subcommittee by October 1, 2015.

Schools disapproving mascots must stop using them within 2 years of notice; continuing use results in $25,000 monthly fines paid to the state education fund by the school district, charter school institute, or institution.

Mascots are automatically approved if they refer solely to a single federally recognized tribe and that tribe has approved the use.

Creates an American Indian Mascot Fund to provide grants for uniforms, decor, letterhead, and other costs associated with changing mascots, funded by $6,750 initial appropriation; subcommittee sunsets September 1, 2025.