Colorado Proud January Recipe Features Pinto Beans

Each month, the Colorado Department of Agriculture features a different commodity to highlight the variety and quality of products grown, raised or processed in the state. We begin 2017 by showcasing Pinto Beans. Colorado Department of Agriculture Marketing Specialist Wendy White says

White: "January we are starting a new year and we are featuring beans —- dried beans which are grown in Colorado with a Pinto Bean and Ham Soup Recipe. Many people may not realize that we in Colorado produce almost 85 million pounds of dried beans in the state every year. We rank eighth nationally for bean production."

Beans are fat free, high in fiber, rich in antioxidants and are a good source of protein. Look for Colorado beans at your local grocery store or at restaurants across the state. White continues with more information on the state's dried bean production.

White: "We produce a number of variety of dried beans in the state. The primary ones include: Pinto, light red kidney and black beans. They are grown primarily in Northeastern Colorado but we also have a pocket of bean production in Southwest Colorado in Montezuma County."

In other news, the 111th Annual National Western Stockshow will begin on Saturday and run through the 22nd. With many events happening, go to nationalwestern.com to find the schedule.