In 2021, the Colorado General Assembly enacted SB 21-116, a law that generally prohibits public schools in Colorado from having American Indian “mascots.” To name and shame schools that had sports team names like “Indians” or “Warriors,” the law delegated power to the Colorado Commission on Indian Affairs to bring those schools into compliance.
We represented American Indians who tried to stop the law from going into effect. But unfortunately, the court dismissed our clients’ case, ruling that our clients weren’t directly injured by the law, even though it was intended to eliminate American Indian names and images in schools across Colorado. Now, without legal recourse, it will be up to Colorado citizens to demand change from the state Legislature.