Two literary groups in Santa Fe are spearheading an effort to designate an official state poet.
The New Mexico State Poetry society and the Red Mountain Press began exploring the logistics of creating the State Poet Laureate program about 4 months ago.
The state legislature must approve the measure for the position to become official. Susan Gardner, of the Red Mountain Press, said, so far, legislative support has been strong.
"There doesn’t appear to be any opposition to it," Gardner continued. "It’s a way to recognize the value of the arts in the lives of the people in the state."
Gardener added that the program would be administered through funds of both private and public origin.
Massachusetts, Michigan and Ohio are the only other states who do not have official poet laureates.