LOCAL MOUNTAIN NAME INCORRECTLY LOCATED
Avid hiker begins campaign to relocate the name Chipeta Mountain
(Salida, CO: March 8, 2016 – International Women’s Day) – Local author Wayne Iverson discovered, through an article in Colorado Central Magazine and further research, a possible error in the naming of Chipeta Mountain. Mr. Iverson has partnered with local community organizers, Jimmy and Mark Sellars of Sellars Project Space, to correct it.
In 1843, Chipeta was born in what is now Conejos, Colorado. She was advisor and confidant to her renowned husband, Chief Ouray of the Tabaguache (Uncompahgre) Ute band. She herself was known as an Indian rights advocate, diplomat, and peacekeeper. She died in 1924. Chipeta was selected to be on a centennial tapestry created to honor eighteen women who played important roles in the settlement and development of Colorado. It now hangs in the State Capitol Building.
Chipeta Mountain, located next to Mount Ouray near Salida, Colorado, is named for the second highest point on its massif – the highest remaining unnamed. Thus the effort to commemorate one of Colorado’s most important people ends up coming across as more of an insult. This campaign to move the name “Chipeta Mountain” from the 12,850-foot sub peak to the 13,472- foot highpoint has now been launched at ChipetaMountain.com. The website asks that visitors sign a petition that will be added to an application to the U. S. Board on Geographic Names asking for the moving of the name to the true summit.
The Chipeta Mountain project is a community-based volunteer group and welcomes support and volunteers through the website mentioned above. For more information, radio or television interviews, image requests, etc. please contact Wayne Iverson or Jimmy Sellars at ChipetaMountain@gmail.com.