Discussion continues on whether or not the name of Colorado’s 14,167-foot Kit Carson Peak in the Sangre de Cristos should be changed due to the controversial nature of the mountain’s namesake subject, a man who carried out military orders that worked to force the surrender of the Navajo people via destruction of crops, homes, and livestock.

In a May 16 meeting held by the Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory Board, the topic was discussed, and signs point to a new name for the peak being likely as much support for the move was shown.

In the current phase of the discussion, officials are working to bring feedback from Native American tribes into the equation, and while official feedback has not been received, preliminary input points to these tribes feeling strongly that the name should be removed. Officials involved in the renaming have noted that they hold this feedback from Native American tribes at a high level of priority.

During the recent meeting, members of the Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory Board seemed to show strong support for the renaming, though it was also noted that several letters from the public opposing the move had been received.

The question of what the new name for the peak could be was also raised in the board meeting, with two frontrunners being Tabaguache Ute Peak and Mount Crestone. Officials do expect other options to be submitted prior to any final decision.

It’s worth noting that concerns were raised with both leading potential names – Tabaguache Ute Peak due to its similarities with Tabaguache Peak in Colorado’s Sawatch Range and Mount Crestone due to its similarities with the nearby Crestone Peak. In terms of the Mount Crestone proposal, however, it was suggested that this name would fit well, having a history of local use in the area and linking the namesake of the peak to the nearby Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle, paying homage to the ‘Crestone group.’

Venado Peak (sp) was also a name that was introduced, which seems to share the same name as another 12,739-foot mountain in the Sangre de Cristos.

Board members also suggested that the group look to pre-colonial times to see what other names had been used in the past for additional potential options.

A Town of Crestone official proposed a gathering of involved people to walk the land and discuss potential options, including input of Native tribes.

Further discussion into a name change is ongoing. It might be several months before progress in the discussion is made as conversation with Native tribes continues.

If the Colorado Geographic Naming Advisory Board ultimately decides to move forward with a new name for Kit Carson Peak, it would still be subject to approval at the federal level.

A similar situation involving another Colorado mountain took place over the course of recent years, involving the name change to Mount Blue Sky for a peak previously known as Mount Evans. The Mount Evans name was condemned by some for its ties to Colorado Governor John Evans, who is said to have created the political climate that allowed for the Sand Creek Massacre to take place.