As several American Indians looked on, the Colorado House on Monday approved a bill designed to eliminate public school mascots and names deemed offensive to Indians.

House Bill 1165 would create a subcommittee in the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs to review the use of American Indian mascots. If the panel or a tribe approves a mascot, no further action is required, but without an OK, the school has two years to stop the use of the mascot or face a $25,000-a-month fine.

The Denver Post recently reported that in Lamar, the team name Savages is revered, including by those who claim American Indian ancestry.

Elicia Goodsoldier, a commissioner with the Denver American Indian Commission, opposes that mascot name. She earlier testified in committee that various studies show the use of Indian mascots has a negative psychological impact on American Indian students.

“The Native American youth are dying by suicide at a rate 400 percent greater than the national average,” she said in an interview on the House floor. ” A lot of it has to do with racism. It exists.”

Goodsoldier, whose mother is Navajo and Sioux, said the bill doesn’t outright ban mascots, but instead forces districts to talk to American Indians members about the use, setting up a dialogue she believes is helpful.

The bill is sponsored by two Democratic lawmakers, Reps. Joe Salazar of Thornton and Jovan Melton of Aurora.

Even if the Democratic-controlled House passes the bill on an official vote, which could come as early as Tuesday, it likely won’t survive the Republican-controlled Senate, according to some GOP members.

Several Republican lawmakers testified against the bill. Rep. Tim Dore, R-Elizabeth, has the Lamar Savages and Yuma Indians in his vast district. He said those school districts already struggle financially and would have to lay off teachers if fines were imposed.

Rep. Steve Humphrey, R-Severance, called the bill “wrong headed, overreaching and controversial.” He said he talked to the superintendent in Eaton, home of the Eaton Reds, who said it would cost $200,000 or more to replace uniforms, gym floors and such. The logo is a big-nosed Indian with his arms folded.

“That money’s not there,” he said.

Rep. Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, said the decision to ban a mascot should be made by local schools, not imposed by the state.

“They should be stamped down, snuffed down, eliminated by virtue of the elected individuals from those in the communities as opposed to being bossed around, if you will, by an appointed task force,” Lundeen said.

Lynn Bartels: 303-954-5327, lbartels@denverpost.com or twitter.com/lynn_bartels