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History of the Colorado Chili Pod
The Colorado Chili Pod was formed in response to the efforts of numerous chili cooks both in and outside the state of Colorado. Out-of-state chili cooks (primarily Texans) had been coming to Colorado for several years to cook with the Colorado cooks in the Colorado State CASI chili championship. Based on the success of this State Chili Championship, it was felt that there needed to be a local chili organization (a Pod) in Colorado. After much discussion, two influential CASI Chili Pods in Texas sponsored the Colorado Chili Pod for membership into CASI. Led by two esteemed members of CASI (Bill Cook, Great Pepper of the Cowtown CASI Pod, and Harvey West, Great Pepper of the Top of Texas Pod), Colorado was nominated for CASI membership in August 1987. Dr. Ray Calhoun of Dallas presented the credentials of the newly founded Colorado Chili Pod organization to the annual CASI Great Pepper’s meeting in September 1987. With the unanimous vote of the Great Peppers, the Colorado Chili Pod was approved for membership. Long-time local chili cook, Don Luckinbill, spearheaded the effort to get the Pod going in conjunction with his chili partner, the much recognized and infamous Dr. Ray Calhoun and Marty Maldonado (the United Way representative). Don, believing that there must be some other crazy chili people out there, decided to host the Pod’s first meeting. The purpose of that first meeting was to discuss the national CASI organization, outline goals for the local Pod, nominate officers, and “kick-off” the efforts of the local Pod. This first meeting, held at the United Way’s Denver office, attracted 30 largely dedicated “chili” and “charity” people. Members in attendance almost instantly felt a part of CASI and committed themselves in creating a “chili organization” in the state of Colorado. To assist in that effort, the members nominated John Montgomery and Don Sanders for Great Pepper and Pepper Popper, respectively. Joining these two chiliheads in the Pod's executive group was Lyman Wilkinson. The Colorado Chili Pod’s sole purpose is to assist organizations to raise money for charities and to promote the cooking of “Competition-Style chili” (aka Texas Red). The organization has hosted dozens of chili cookoffs over the last 17 years and hopefully will have the opportunity to continue to do the same well into the future.
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Mailing Address: Colorado Chili Pod c/o John Montgomery 1600 Broadway, Suite 2500 Denver, CO 80202-4925 |
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