Thursday, January 30, 2014

Denver mayor sparks Super Bowl chile battle - NM responds

photo Susan Montoya Bryan
A friendly Super Bowl bet between the mayors of Seattle and Denver is causing a stir in New Mexico. If the Seahawks win on Sunday, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has wagered a few things he says are indicative of his city. Among them: handmade skis, a hoodie and a sampling of Denver's "amazing green chile." Chile from the Mile High City? The question has fired up New Mexicans, resulting in a flurry of social media posts on New Mexico's long history with the hot peppers. Chile is the state vegetable and the basis of the official state question - "Red or green?" A state law even has been passed to protect the spicy reputation of New Mexico peppers by targeting impostors everywhere from roadside stands to grocery stores. "We are the chile state," declared Katie Goetz, a spokeswoman for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. To help set the record straight, department officials aren't waiting for the outcome of Sunday's matchup between the Broncos and Seahawks. They're getting green chile care packages ready to send to both Hancock and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray...more

No comments: