DENVER -- Colorado moved one step closer, albeit a small step, to getting a state reptile on Tuesday when the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee approved a bill that would give the western painted turtle that honor.

The measure passed 9-1 and now goes to the full House for debate.

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

The bill was suggested by fourth-graders at Westminster's Skyline Elementary School, who even testified front of the state House Tuesday.

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

Only one lawmaker voted against naming a state reptile -- that was newly appointed Rep. Douglas Bruce.