We produce a lot of video content at OutThere Colorado, and part of producing that video content means our team has to do our best to properly pronounce a lot of words related to the Centennial State. From spots like Ouray to peaks like Tabguache, there always seems to be debate in the comment section regarding whether or not we’re saying certain words ‘like a local.’ Perhaps no ‘Colorado word’ has drawn as much debate as the pronunciation of a certain Chaffee County town – Buena Vista.

On the surface, pronunciation of this town’s name would seem simple for those familiar with the Spanish Language. ‘Buena’ translates to ‘good’ in English and ‘vista’ translates to ‘view’ – both words likely taught in any Spanish language introductory course. That said, as this name pertains to the Colorado town, it’s much more complicated.

While there’s no shortage of good views in this part of the state, the correct pronunciation of the town’s name doesn’t quite stay true to its presumed roots in the Spanish language.

To get the less debated portion of the name out of the way first, the ‘vista’ in Buena Vista is pronounced as many would expect – viss-tah (though this is also often pronounced by Spanish speakers as vee-stah or bees-tah). It’s the ‘buena’ portion that really throws people off.

While those familiar with the Spanish language would be quick to assume the correct pronunciation of ‘buena’ when referring to the Colorado town would be ‘bway-na,’ that’s not the case.

The correct pronunciation of ‘buena’ when referring to the Colorado town is instead ‘bew-na,’ according to the Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber pins this tweak on a decision made in 1879, when resident Alsina Dearheimer chimed in during a meeting when locals were picking between a town name of Collegiate Peaks or Buena Vista. Obviously, the second suggested name won out, but Dearheimer’s additional suggestion ended up winning out, as well.

Dearheimer suggested using the first syllable from the English word ‘beautiful’ as the first syllable in the town’s name, a sort of way for paying homage to the local language – and her idea stuck.

While many visitors to the town seem to think the locals are wrong in their pronunciation of Buena Vista, the ‘Bew-na Viss-ta’ pronunciation has remained the local norm for more than 100 years. Granted, it’s also worth noting that there’s another simpler and less contentious way of referring to the town that seems to be popular in some circles nowadays – BV.

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