Western painted turtle on slow, steady pace to become state reptile

DENVER - The State Legislature has taken a step toward making the western painted turtle the state's official reptile. A House committee, on Monday afternoon, approved the bill on a 9 to 1 vote.

The idea for an official state reptile originated in a 4th grade class at Skyline Elementary School in Adams County. Class members were studying the various animals and plants that have official state designations and noticed that there was no state reptile.

"I think the legislature will approve it," said Horatio Duarte, who's now in the 5th grade. "I don't see any reason why it's not a good reptile for Colorado."

Duarte and several of his classmates told legislators that the turtle has many colors that represent Colorado, red for Red Rocks, yellow for the Colorado sunshine and green for the mountains.

The legislators agreed and voted to send the proposal to the full house.

Rep. Cherylin Peniston, (D-Westminster) said the state needs its own state reptile because it doesn't have one.

"Originally they thought they'd have a rattlesnake, but they were worried that people might think they were being too mean," Peniston said.