Controversy: Boulder City Council Considers Renaming Settler's Park
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- The Boulder City Council is considering renaming Settler's Park at the mouth of Boulder Canyon. It's part of a bigger plan to rename Oct. 10, Columbus Day, as Indigenous People's Day.
The idea behind the park's renaming is to honor Boulder's Native American and minority history.
Reaction to the naming discussion is mixed.
"I like the idea," said one Boulder resident.
"I think it's fine the way it is," said another.
The Boulder Human Relations Commission has proposed the name change as part of a plan to rename Columbus Day as Indigenous People's Day in the city.
"It's about human beings who deserve to be celebrated," said Boulder's Human Rights Commission member Jose Beteta.
"We wanted to start acknowledging the mistreatment and atrocities that happened in the city before with indigenous people and we wanted to create that healing process," said Beteta.
Settler's Park was named because it was thought to be the location of the first permanent camp of American settlers in the Boulder area.
Boulder resident Mona Estrada visited the park with her family and understand why there is debate but still supports the proposal.
"I think it's fantastic. It brings up the original history of the place before the white man came and settled and scared away the native people. I think it would be awesome," said Estrada.
Boulder resident Pam Benedetti believes the city is diverse enough and disagrees with the change.
"I kind of like Settler's Park the name. I think we should just leave it," said Benedetti.
Beteta believes making the change would make a difference, "We do have a reputation for being a little more progressive than other cities. In the end, it comes down to caring for other human beings."
If the measure passes, Native American tribes will be consulted in determining the future name of the park.
