A place name is given to a geographic location of historic significance. Colorado is home to several locations like this such as the Comanche Peak Wilderness, and the Yampa River.

Read More: The Story Behind Grand Junction, Colorado's Sugar Beet Factory

Some people who visit Colorado probably have no idea how many different groups of Native Americans have lived in the Centennial State. Join us for a virtual tour around the state as we show off the place names given to seven Colorado counties.

KUBC Gold logo
Get our free mobile app

Native American Indians In Colorado

North America's Indians moved through and around Colorado as more settlers came West. Some groups moved through Colorado to other places, while others stayed until they were forced onto reservations in Utah. Freemont, ArapahoCheyenneKiowa, Aztec, Ute, and Quechan have all called the Centennial State home at once or another.

Names To Remember

Places like Fort Uncompahgre, Comanche Creek, Niwot, Dakota Ridge, Shawnee, and Yampa all have ties to Native Americans who lived in Colorado. Mount Antero is named after a Ute Chief, and the Comanche National Grassland and Weminuche Wilderness are both named after their people.

Read More: Do You Know The Former Names Of These Colorado Towns?

Colorado Counties with Special Names

Several Colorado waterways like the Arikaree River, Navajo River, and Pawnee Creek are place names to be remembered. Can you think of all of the counties in Colorado with place names that also remember Native Americans?

Keep going to see them all. 👇

7 Interesting Place Names In Colorado With Native American Roots

Colorado has been home to several groups of Native American Indians over the years. They lived all over the state at one time or another, and many of their names still live on today. Keep reading as we tour seven placenames in the Centennial State that help us remember those who came before us.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

Exploring the History of Grand Junction, Colorado: From Frontier Town to Small City

If you came to western Colorado in 1880, you probably never would have guessed how the valley would look in 2023. Check out a timeline of significant events that brought Grand Junction from the frontier to a small city from 1880 to 1900.

Gallery Credit: Wes Adams

KEEP GOING: A Pictorial History of Trains in Western Colorado

For close to 50 years, Grand Junction photographer Robert Grant captured images of life on the Western Slope. As you very well know, Western Colorado and railroads go hand in hand. These are a handful of images lifted from negatives from Robert Grant's personal collection.

Gallery Credit: Waylon Jordan