State Fish

Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) The Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) is also known as the New Mexico Cutthroat Trout.  This species is native to cold mountain streams and lakes of much of northern New Mexico.  They have a yellow-green...

State Cowboy Song

March 25, 2009, Governor Bill Richardson signed legislation declaring Under the New Mexico Skies as the first official cowboy song. The song was composed by Syd Masters of Edgewood, NM. This song was selected at a songwriting competition sponsored by the New Mexico...

State Cookie

Biscochito (bizcochito) The New Mexico Legislature adopted the biscochito (bizcochito) as the official state cookie in 1989.  This act made New Mexico the first state to have an official state cookie. The biscochito is a small anise-flavored cookie, which was...

State Capitol

New Mexico State Capitol New Mexico claims the distinction of having the oldest as well as one of the newest state capitols in the United States.  The oldest is the Palace of the Governors (See Fig. 1, pg. 119). Built in 1610 (ten years before the Pilgrims landed...

State Butterfly

Callophrys Mcfarlandi The Sandia Hairstreak (Callophrys mcfarlandi) is the State Butterfly of New Mexico occurring in 24 of the state’s 33 counties.  It also occurs in southeastern Colorado, west Texas and into northeastern Mexico.  It was originally...

State Bolo Tie

Bolo Tie The bolo tie is a Western fashion staple, hailed for its comfort and versatility.  Employing several types of clasps, the bolo tie can be worn with a closed or loosened collar. In the 1930’s, Navajo men would fasten a silver concha to their necks...