Colorado Rocky Mountain Hiiiiiiigh

It's official:

“Rocky Mountain High,” the late John Denver’s love letter to his adopted state, became Colorado’s second official song today.

(To watch an audio slideshow of local singing Colorado's state songs, click here.)

Lawmakers passed a resolution that puts Denver’s 1972 anthem alongside the lesser-known “Where the Columbines Grow”, which was adopted in 1915.

In the House, where lawmakers listened to a live performance of the song, Rep. Debbie Stafford, R-Aurora, unsuccessfully tried to amend the resolution to make it clear that the song refers to Colorado’s altitude and doesn’t encourage drug use.

Some senators tapped their feet and sang along while others sorted through paperwork on their desk.

Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs, who voted against the measure, said he didn’t think the state should have two songs. “If we don’t like ’Where the Columbines Grow’ the legislature should remove it and replace it,” said Schultheis, who admitted he didn’t know the words to the original state song.

Denver’s brother, Ron Deutschendorf, told the Aspen Daily News earlier this month that Denver would have been “proud and honored” to have the tune designated a state song. An uncle, Dave Deutschendorf, is a Colorado Springs resident. (Thanks to Denver's family and friends for the photo, from their Web site.)