Why Mount Blue Sky?

Mount Evans is a stunningly beautiful Colorado landmark that deserves a name that honors its natural and cultural history. The mountain is named in honor of John Evans, the former territorial governor of Colorado who authorized the indiscriminate murder of American Indians and was responsible for one of the worst massacres in American history, the Sand Creek Massacre. The Sand Creek Massacre resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Cheyenne and Arapaho men, women, and children. Evans was roundly condemned, forced to resign in disgrace, and is not deserving of recognition. This petition is submitted by the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes and The Wilderness Society. We propose to rename Mt. Evans as Mt. Blue Sky as it signifies the Arapaho as they were known as the Blue Sky People and the Cheyenne who have an annual ceremony of renewal of life called Blue Sky.