Turtle Bill Clears Senate

The bill that would designate the Western painted turtle (Chrysemis picta bellii) as Colorado's official reptile passed the Senate this week.

HB 1017 arose from interest expressed by some Adams County children who discovered the state has no official reptile.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Cherilyn Peniston, D-Westminster, and Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, awaits Gov. Bill Ritter's signature.