Chief Ouray in Colorado

Have you ever wondered how the town of

Ouray in Colorado got its name?

Once upon a fleeting time…

a Native American man named Ouray 

traveled to Colorado.

Ouray was born near the town we now call

Taos, New Mexico, around 1833. 

The legend says that he was born 

on a clear night under a meteor shower.

His name, Ouray, means 

“arrow” in the Ute language

just like the meteors shooting across the sky.

In childhood, he spoke Spanish and English,

but learned Ute and Apache as he grew.

He also spent a lot of time working

With Mexican sheep herders. 

When he was a bit older, Ouray joined 

his father and a Ute tribe in Colorado.

He soon became Chief Ouray, known in his band as 

one of the best riders, fighters, and hunters. 

Gold and silver were discovered 

in Colorado mines. 

It was a great place 

for hunting and trapping as well. 

Lots of settlers were coming

from all over the world to participate.

They took over land that belonged

to tribes like Chief Ouray’s.

Many Native Americans wanted to fight 

to take their land back.

Many did fight, but it didn’t always work. 

Chief Ouray wanted to fight sometimes too,

but he thought his people would lose too much. 

He planned to make sure some of his 

people’s land would be safe for them to keep. 

He decided to visit leaders in the American

 government to come to an agreement. 

Ouray met with military leaders and the governor.

He even traveled to Washington, D.C. 

to speak with President Abraham Lincoln.

Ouray was often called the chief negotiator because

 of his visits with the American leaders. 

Some of the agreements he made 

meant his people could keep half of their land. 

In some places, they had to agree 

to build roads on their ground.

Not everyone was happy with the arrangement.

The government didn’t always give the

people what they promised. 

It was hard to keep the peace,

even though Chief Ouray kept trying. 

Chief Ouray died in 1880 and the Colorado town

was named to honor him and his leadership. 

Many people called him a man of peace 

and a protector of people.

The town of Ouray is full of 

breathtaking mountain peaks and rivers. 

Some people call it the Switzerland of America

because it looks like a tiny version of the country.

From waterfalls and hiking 

to hot springs and good food, 

Ouray, Colorado has plenty to discover.

Not far from the town,

you can visit a monument to Chief Ouray 

built on part of the land where he used to live. 

Chief Ouray is just one of many 

Native Americans that have a story worth hearing.

You can find history books, fiction, and art by Native 

American authors at your local library.  

Many of them were Colorado kids too!

Look for yourself and you might find 

more inspiration to keep creating.