Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams wagers Super Bowl bet

DENVER, January 29, 2016 - When North Carolina's secretary of state offered Friday to make a friendly Super Bowl bet, Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams knew just the home-grown products he was going to wager: buffalo steaks and toffee.

Despite a suggestion from a staffer, Williams wasn't interested in betting pot, another well-known Colorado product, for the game between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 7.

He even had his quote ready for the press release.

“The Broncos are going to win,” Williams said, “which means Elaine Marshall and her staff aren’t going to be able to taste Enstrom’s amazing toffee without going online at www.enstrom.com and ordering some.”

Then he talked with Marshall. She wasn't interested in the usual Our Products vs. Your Products kind of bet.

"In fact," Williams conceded, "she had a really good idea."

So the two secretary of state offices are going to ask their staffers to donate items for a food drive. After the game, both offices will donate their collection to their respective food banks, Food Bank of the Rockies and Food Bank of Central and Eastern Carolina. The donations will be made in the name of the winning team.

"It's a win-win," Secretary Williams said. "The Denver Broncos are going to prevail and needy people are going to benefit."

"No matter who wins the Super Bowl, we will be providing assistance to those in need in both states,” Secretary Marshall said. “I am confident that those donations will be made in honor of the Super Bowl Champion Carolina Panthers.

"But yes, one of us will have to eat a little crow depending on that final score and seeing which team gets those championship rings with the big ‘50’ on them."

Williams had already talked to former Congressman Bob Beauprez's wife, Claudia, about getting some buffalo steaks from their ranch in Jackson County. She was thrilled with the betting twist.

"That's an even better deal, helping the needy. I love that idea," she said. "Go Broncos!"

Rick Enstrom of Enstrom's, which began in Grand Junction four generations ago, also was on board.

"Whatever our esteemed secretary of state deems to wager is fine with me," he said.

The 14-4 Broncos and the 17-1 Panthers will kick off at 4:30 p.m. at Levi's Stadium in Santa, Clara, Calif.