The Two South Park Characters The Creators Would Instate As Colorado's Official Mascots

Over the years, TV shows and movies ride up and down on waves of popularity. But there are also those special gems of entertainment which become so well-known, with characters so well-known, that they actually become synonymous with their real world locations. For example, when people think of Kansas, Dorothy from the "Wizard of Oz" immediately comes to mind. The same goes for Tony Soprano with New Jersey or Peter Griffin matching up with Rhode Island. Springfield's around the country automatically make people think of "The Simpsons," especially since we don't know specifically which town they're referencing.

If a show or movie had to be chosen to represent the beautiful state of Colorado, the raunchy animated series "South Park" would have to be the pick. The long-running series has consistently paid homage to this mountain state, as the location has been the show's setting for over 25 years. However, choosing a specific character from this Comedy Central show to become the actual state mascot, is not so cut and dry. There have been so many beloved major characters and even memorable minor characters, over the years that have become t-shirt worthy, so who could possibly represent the entire show for the state of Colorado? Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have their own personal choices.

The fourth graders of "South Park" have been hopping around their small mountain town for over 25 years. Besides Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny, there have also been a countless number of reoccurring characters that have enjoyed their own glow of popularity over the years. Butters, Mr. Garrison, Chef, and Stan's father Randy are just a few of the breakout characters. But if there was one to pick as the actual mascot for Colorado, who would it be? Well, leave it to the governor of the state to pluck that opinion directly from the creators' mouths. Surprisingly, it's none of those characters.

To commemorate the 24th anniversary "South Park," governor Jared Polis sat down to interview Matt Stone and Trey Parker. When asked what "South Park" character was their choice to be the mascot of Colorado, Parker was first to answer. "I'd say Mr. Hankey," said Parker, "just because I'd like to see Mr. Hankey as a mascot." This always cringe-worthy holiday character, made a debut in Season 1, Episode 9 ("Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo"), but he's appeared several times throughout the show's history.

Coincidentally, Matt Stone's choice for mascot, is actually another anthropomorphized object. For Stone, the Colorado mascot would be Towelie.  For those who don't know, Towelie, first introduced in Season 5, Episode 8 ("Towelie"), is simply a hand towel who far too frequently partakes in the cloudy wonders of cannabis. Stone puts up a good argument, as USA Today reminds us that Colorado was one of the first states to legalize the selling of recreational marijuana. Stone explains, "With the weed industry hear and now, I think people know that about Colorado."

No matter who the mascot of Colorado might be, just know that you'll always find people spouting, "Howdy, neighbor!" in South Park.