Italian-Americans, Girl Scouts and greyhound enthusiasts-make that, “Greyhound Lovers”-all have their own Colorado license plates. So do fans of the Avalanche, Rockies and Broncos Charities. Don’t forget about all those alumni plates celebrating the state’s various higher-ed institutions, or the plates urging us to put “Kids First,” “Protect Our Rivers,” “Share the Road” with cyclists and “Support the Horse.” There were, at last count, more than 90 different specialty license plates issued annually for more than 150,000 Colorado motor vehicles.

What’s missing from the list? Pueblo’s prized chiles, of course. And Pueblo Democratic state Rep. Daneya Esgar is doing her best to correct that oversight.

Not long ago, Esgar and Pueblo County Commissioner Liane “Buffie” McFadyen, herself a former state legislator, hatched the idea of a license plate to showcase the delicacy. The pepper is so popular locally it has had its own annual festival in the city for over two decades. So, they figure, why not raise its profile statewide by promoting it with its own license plate?

The idea quickly has gained momentum. The Pueblo Chieftain reported this week that the proposal is now well on its way to becoming legislation, which Esgar will sponsor. First, though, it must demonstrate sufficient demand in advance under a state procedure put in place for any cause that seeks a specialty license plate. Accordingly, a petition is now making the rounds:

The goal is to reach 3,000 signatures on the petition, Esgar said Wednesday. Thus far, 1,400 signatures have been collected. People who wish to aid in the effort can sign the petition at change.org/p/colorado-governor-pueblo-chile-license-plate-for-colorado.

Esgar said Colorado law cites that to get a new license plate variation pressed, there must be 3,000 signatures and then she will begin the process of drafting a bill to proceed through the Legislature and hopefully be signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper.

You may be wondering, if there’s going to be a license plate for Pueblo’s produce, what’s next? Policy makers have been wondering that for a long time, but the list seems to keep growing. Rocky Ford’s renowned melons, anyone? Olathe’s signature sweet corn?

Just a guess, though: At least one thriving Colorado cash crop probably won’t be adorning the state’s license plates anytime soon. Marijuana has too many image problems. Besides, for better or worse, it doesn’t seem to need any promotion.