Cheetos, Goldfish: What should be the official State Snack for a real Rocky Mountain high?

Colorado has an official State Dance (square), an official State Fossil (stegosaurus) and not one, but two official State Songs ("Where the Columbines Grow" and "Rocky Mountain High"). It has no official food -- but Governor John Hickenlooper's reference to favorite munchie snacks could soon change that. See also: -...

By Patricia Calhoun

November 8, 2012

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Colorado has an official State Dance (square), an official State Fossil (stegosaurus) and not one, but two official State Songs ("Where the Columbines Grow" and "Rocky Mountain High"). It has no official food -- but Governor John Hickenlooper's reference to favorite munchie snacks could soon change that.

Asked about the passage of Amendment 64, the governor pointed out that "federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug, so don't break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly."

As a founder of the Wynkoop Brewing Company and a former bar owner, Hickenlooper might also have suggested pretzels -- but no matter. The quote has been picked up around the country, and Amendment 64 proponents delivered both Cheetos and Goldfish to the governor's office yesterday.

Either would work nicely as official State Snack to go with a real Rocky Mountain High. But we're looking for other nominations, too; post your ideas below.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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