Broncos choose Hatch chile, spicing up rivalry between CO and NM crops
The rivalry between Pueblo, Colorado, and New Mexico chile farmers is heating up. The Denver Broncos chose New Mexico-based 505 Southwestern to provide chile and other concessions for Mile High Stadium.
"That turned a lot of people very angry around here," Dalton Milberger, the president of the Pueblo Chile Growers Association said.
Rob Holland, the CEO of 505 Southwestern said the choice has less to do with the flavor of the chile and more about the provider.
"For the Broncos, it wasn’t just about green chile too. 505 does salsa. We do queso. Every single chip at Mile High Stadium is now ours," he said.
Pueblo growers argue their chile cooks better and is more flavorful.
"The walls of our chile usually seem thicker than the Hatch. That’s just based because of our climate. We get those real cold nights that set the chile on and make them grow thick," Milberger said.
The Coloradan farmer also told KOAT that Pueblo farmers don't roast red chile like Hatch does.
New Mexican chile farmers KOAT spoke with said Hatch chile has its own unique taste and consumers chose to make the area the chile capitol of the world.
Holland said 505 Southwestern is considering making a salsa that blends both Hatch Valley and Pueblo green chiles.
"If we can get the world hooked on green chiles in general, we all win, and that should trump any kind of rivalry, in my opinion," Holland said.