Colorado's new statewide smoking ban won't affect Native religious ceremonies in public places, a Republican lawmaker says.

House Republican Leader Mike May, the sponsor of the bill, sought a review of the new law, scheduled to go into effect July 1. He was worried that additional legislation would have to be drawn up to clarify that Native ceremonies in public places, such as sweat lodges, aren't affected.

May says federal laws already protect Native rights. But Rep. Mark Cloer, who is Indian, fears that someone may end up filing a lawsuit anyway.

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Tribes spared in smoking ban (The Denver Post 4/19)