Legend of the Grand Mesa Thunderbirds

Western Colorado's Grand Mesa is a majestic place. Treasured for its beauty, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife, it's no wonder the Ute Indians viewed the area as a magical land.

To the Ute, the Grand Mesa was known as Thiguanawat, which roughly translates as "The Land of the Departed Spirits." Also called Thunder Mountain, the Utes told a legend of the Thunderbirds. The legend says: