Bob Schaffer's 'salty' post-election job

FORT COLLINS - Following defeat, politicians usually choose between two options. They either refortify their spirits and coffers in the hopes of doing battle once again or they drift into the political afterlife to try their hand at a different venture.

In a way, Bob Schaffer has chosen both.

Earlier this year, the Fort Collins resident became the chair of the Colorado State Board of Education, a position that keeps his hand very much in the game.

But he's also taken a vocal role as his wife's cheerleader.

More than three years ago, Maureen Schaffer, an electrical engineer, crafted a margarita recipe with a friend.

That recipe has morphed into a vibrant business that has put bottles upon bottles of "Coyote Gold" on liquor store shelves throughout Colorado.

"It's not a mix," Maureen Schaffer said. "It's the full margarita, so it's got reposado tequila."

After the bruising senate race in which Schaffer (R) lost to Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colorado), Schaffer dove right into helping promote his wife's concoction.

"It's a great place start after an election that didn't turn out the way I wanted," he said.

He already has the perfect sales pitch.

"We encourage people to buy it liberally, consume it and enjoy it moderately and grow the economy conservatively," Schaffer said with a smile.

The Schaffers had hoped to make the product here in Colorado, but say the few facilities in the state that could take on that job couldn't fit them in.

So they turned to a company in Michigan which makes Coyote Gold then ships it to Colorado.

Maureen Schaffer expects the business to soon enter the Texas market.

As for her husband, let's just say he hasn't ruled out entering another election.