How 10 Colorado Towns Got Their Quirky Names

Colorado is a state with many towns whose names reflect history, culture, and sometimes the whimsical nature of the Centennial State. Anyone who has driven from Grand Junction to Denver knows you don't have to travel very far before coming across a town with an interesting name.

Hygiene, Last Chance, and Crested Butte all come to mind when thinking of Colorado towns with odd names. In some cases, the story of how these towns got their names is just as interesting as the names themselves.

Oddly Named Towns in Western Colorado

Driving across Colorado can take you past places like Nederland, Arriba, and Buena Vista. These names leave one wondering not only how to pronounce them, but also how they got their names in the first place. Keep scrolling to learn more about 10 Western Slope towns that all have quirky names.

More Than Names On A Colorado Map

Read More: Learning to Look at Colorado Petroglyphs and Pictographs

The state of Colorado has been a part of Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the United States. It’s no surprise that Colorado is full of all kinds of names—some funny, some rooted in history—but all distinctly Colorado. These names aren’t just dots on a map; they reflect the state’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty we've come to know and claim over time.