Last year, the name of Colorado's 14,130-foot Mount Evans' was officially changed to Mount Blue Sky, but that didn't impact the surrounding wilderness area where the peak is found, which is still called Mount Evans Wilderness. A bill that's been introduced seeks to change that.
Sponsored by Representative Joe Neguse, HR 5962 would change the name of Mount Evans Wilderness to Mount Blue Sky Wilderness, and The Wilderness Society is asking the public to show their support for the act.
An online email form has been created to streamline the process for people around the country to ask their representative to support the bill.
"Supporting this legislation aligns with our nation's ongoing efforts to acknowledge and honor Indigenous peoples and their stories while creating inclusive and respectful public spaces. By renaming the wilderness area to reflect the recently changed Mount Blue Sky, we contribute to a more accurate historical narrative and maintain the integrity of our natural heritage," reads a pre-written message featured on the page.
The controversy surrounding the 'Mount Evans' namesake of the wilderness area stems from Governor John Evans' role in facilitating the political climate that led to the infamous and horrific Sand Creek Massacre that took place in Colorado in 1864, resulting in the deaths of more than 200 Cheyenne and Arapaho people, mostly composed of women, children, and the elderly.
The initial decision to change the name of Mount Evans was polarizing, though ultimately, most Coloradans showed support for the move in online commentary.
If the Mount Evans Wilderness name is changed as proposed, it would align the surrounding area with the name change of the peak.
Find the support email provided by The Wilderness Society here.
(3) comments
They pat themselves on the back while we watch them undo our Republic.
Apathy can only lose.
There are better and more pressing things to be doing like gaining control of illegal aliens invading the US. But no, Democrats are good at pandering. As someone of Cherokee heritage, this just proves to me that today's Americans have been brainwashed, and gaslighted. I could care less about the name Evans. Seriously californianated Colorado!
a double standard was applied when they changed mount Evans name. it was okay for the plains tribes to take advantage of the absence of the us army during the civil war, and start the colorado war, but it wasn't okay for whites to protect themselves. btw Evans never approved the massacre, he wasn't even in the state at the time. double standards are racist
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