Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, alongside Colorado U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse and Brittany Pettersen, introduced legislation to change the name of Colorado’s Mount Evans Wilderness to the Mount Blue Sky Wilderness. Last month, the U.S. Board of Geographic Names decided to officially rename Mount Evans to Mount Blue Sky.
“Tribes and local communities led the process to rename Mount Blue Sky – an important step to address the atrocities committed against the Cheyenne & Arapaho people,” said Bennet. “This legislation to rename the surrounding wilderness area is an important next step to reaffirm our commitment to Tribes and honor their legacy.”
“Renaming Mount Evans to Mount Blue Sky helped to honor and recognize the Tribes and advocates who worked hard to create change,” said Hickenlooper. “Now, renaming the wilderness area the peak overlooks is the logical next step–one we’re honored to spearhead.”
“I am proud to join Senators Hickenlooper and Bennet in introducing this critical bill to rename this important wilderness area as the Mount Blue Sky Wilderness, taking another step forward in our work to honor the histories of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. The Mount Blue Sky Wilderness Act is a reflection of our dedication to remembrance, honor, and healing,” said Neguse.
“Communities and tribes across Colorado have been working for years to get Mount Evans renamed to Mount Blue Sky,” said Pettersen. “Their determination and commitment have finally come to fruition. The renaming of the mountain and now, with our bill, the surrounding wilderness area, are a powerful symbol of healing and unity. Mount Blue Sky is more than just a name—it is a way to honor the Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples whose ancestors were the victims of the Sand Creek Massacre. I’m proud to join the coalition who made this meaningful change possible.”
“The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes are excited about the introduction of the name change of Mt. Evans Wilderness Area. We thank all the Colorado Congressional members for introducing the bill to help restore the wilderness area to a respectful and proper name,” said Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Governor Reggie Wassana.
Currently, the wilderness area is named after John Evans, the second territorial Governor of Colorado whose promotion of anti-Native American policies led the way for Colorado’s Sand Creek Massacre in November 1864. During the massacre, U.S. soldiers attacked an encampment of approximately 750 Native people. The soldiers killed 230 people — mostly women and children.
The new name honors the Cheyenne people, whose annual ceremony of life is called Blue Sky, and the Arapaho people, who are known as the Blue Sky People.
Last year, Bennet and Hickenlooper joined Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, National Park Service (NPS) Director Chuck Sams III, and local Tribal leaders at the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site to remember the massacre and announce the addition of almost 3,500 acres to the site.
The text of the bill is available HERE.