The New Mexico Legislature's Senate Committee on Indian, Rural, and Cultural Affairs convened on March 11, 2025, to discuss a proposed bill designating August as "Red and Green Chile Month." Representative Dow introduced the bill, emphasizing the importance of promoting New Mexico's signature crop amid a significant decline in chile production, which has dropped from over 30,000 acres to approximately 8,800 acres due to various challenges, including disease and labor shortages.

The bill aims to enhance agritourism and celebrate the cultural significance of chile in New Mexico. Dow highlighted that every county in the state has producers or businesses that utilize chile, from restaurants to breweries. The initiative seeks to unify celebrations across the state, allowing different regions to showcase their unique harvesting traditions during the peak season in August.

Travis Day from the New Mexico Chili Growers Association supported the bill, noting that it would help combat false advertising of chile products and solidify New Mexico's reputation as a leader in chile production. He pointed out that the Department of Tourism has resources available to promote agritourism, which could attract visitors to local farms and businesses.

Committee members raised questions about the timing of the month and its relation to the well-known Hatch Chile Festival, which occurs in September. Dow explained that the Hatch Chamber of Commerce recommended August to allow for a broader range of celebrations throughout the state, accommodating different harvesting times in various regions.

The committee's discussions underscored the cultural and economic significance of chile in New Mexico, with hopes that the bill will inspire future generations and bolster local economies through increased tourism and awareness of the state's agricultural heritage. The next steps will involve further deliberation on the bill as it moves through the legislative process.