Whole Foods Market became the first certified organic national retail chain in 2003—and again when procedures changed in 2009—and now, Mile High Organics based in Boulder, Colorado has become the first certified organic online retailer to achieve certified organic status.

Colorado based Rocky Mountain Natural Meats has issued a recall of ground bison meat and tenderized bison steaks over possible E. coli contamination.

E. coli is a foodborne bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal infection, bloody diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia.

The recall includes 66,000 pounds of six different ground meat and steak products produced in May. The meat is marked with "sell or freeze by" dates in June, said the United States Agriculture Department in a release.

Rocky Mountain Natural Meats bison meat has been linked to five cases of E.coli in Colorado and possibly another in New York.

But despite this blip of bad news, the bison meat market in the U.S. has experienced tremendous growth.

The National Bison Association (NBA) says in 2009, 70,000 bison were slaughtered under federal and state inspection in the U.S. The NBA's website lists bison as a healthier alternative to beef, with bison having 2.42 grams of fat per 3.5 ounces, compared to choice cow meat which as 18.54 grams of fat.

In 2007, a census by Department of Agriculture reported nearly 200,000 bison reside on private ranches and farms in the United States.

Why do we even eat buffalo? Didn't we hunt them to the brink of extinction? And aren't American Bison a national treasure, like the Bald Eagles? As a non-meat eater I don't get it. We raise tons of cows - thats not enough for you!

E. coli scares in the U.S. are all too common, an E. coli-Romaine lettuce outbreak in May sickened people in Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee.

So it's no surprise that a recent report shows Colorado has the highest percentage of land dedicated to organic livestock.

Colorado rules with 76%, the most in the West. And you better call it the “West,” I was just in Colorado and they're very punchy about being called "Midwest."

And Colorado is second only to Idaho in the number of organic farms in a state.

Farmers in Colorado say switching to organic is expensive and cumbersome, but the certification makes their organic meat "the real McCoy.”

It's pretty cool to see a state so dominated by organic. I think it represents a nationwide shift in consumer demand.

I don't know about organic farms, but I tell you one thing, Colorado has more medical marijuana stores...on EVERY corner - it's far out man!

Image credit: groans from within