Rep. Salazar Floats Classroom Diversity Bill

<p>(Hart Van Denburg/CPR News)</p>
<p>The Colorado State Capitol.</p>

A Colorado Democratic lawmaker wants more diversity taught in classrooms.

Rep. Joe Salazar’s bill takes aim at certain Republicans running for president. It receives its first hearing at the legislature Monday afternoon.

It’s particularly Donald Trump who has been criticized for his comments about certain ethnic groups. Salazar says Trump’s comments on Mexican immigrants and Muslims divide the country.

“We see the vitriol and just the level of hatred that we’re experiencing across the country, and particularly exacerbated by certain candidates, that’s pitting one community against another," Salazar said.

Salazar’s response is to require that students be taught the history, culture and contributions that various ethnic groups have made in Colorado. His bill would set up a commission that would make multi-cultural curriculum recommendations for public schools.

Opponents of the measure are expected to cry foul over government overreach into local school affairs.