This blog post was updated on October 22, 2018.
A groundswell of support to name a mountain peak in Colorado after late music star John Denver is being met with some resistance this week.
Thousands of Coloradans have signed a petition urging the state to rename Mount Sopris near where Denver is said to have written the song “Rocky Mountain High.” The smash hit single would later become the official state song of Colorado.
However, not everyone is backing the proposal. Since the mountain is located in a wilderness protection area, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names would have to OK any name change. And according to the board’s chairman, Lou Yost, a 1964 law discourages name changes in all protected areas.
Mr. Denver’s fans have not given up the fight just yet. They are hoping for an exception to the law based on Denver’s importance to the state and the surrounding area. Their cause might be helped by the fact that the peak overlooks 1,000 acres of land donated by Denver before his death.
Source: Forbes
Flickr: randomduck
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