The news comes at a time when psychedelic mushrooms are a hot topic in the Centennial State and beyond, though mushrooms of all kinds have been having a moment for several years, and this designation is focused on the culinary type.
Locally, foraging has been growing in popularity since the pandemic. Colorado is home to many edible mushroom varieties, but only one was the subject of HB25-1091, which Governor Jared Polis signed on March 31.
Colorado's new state mushroom is Agaricus Julius, or the Emperor Mushroom Formerly Known as Prince. The name is a nod to the fact that the mushroom was long-mistaken for Agaricus Augustus which, yes, is also called the prince mushroom.
Colorado's new state mushroom is edible and grows in high-elevation spruce-fir forests.
Courtesy of the Denver Botanic Gardens
The bill was sponsored by Representative Jacque Phillips and Senator Kyle Mullica, but it landed at the legislature thanks to students at Horizon High School in Thornton, who worked with their civics teacher, Greg Sanchez, on the project. Sanchez is the former president of the Colorado Mycological Society and told 9News in February that his goal was "to help students learn how citizens, through civic engagement, can play an active role in their government by working to get Colorado to declare a state mushroom as a new state symbol."
"Designating a state mushroom helps us celebrate the important and diverse plants and animals that make up and strengthen the lands and ecosystems that make the landscapes of our state so vibrant and inspiring," says Governor Polis in a release on the signing. "Our state mushroom has coloring similar to a portobello, a cherry-almond aroma, and it’s delicious."
Agaricus Julius grows in high-elevation spruce-fir forests and is a favorite of foragers for its flavor. While Polis didn't share his favorite recipes for the new state symbol, it can generally be used as you would button mushrooms or portobellos.
If you're interested in learning more about foraging and making your own Agaricus Julius omelet, we recommend checking out the Colorado Mycological Society.
