John Denver Peak, a Mountain By Any Other Name
William Shakespeare said it first, and best, “A rose by another name would smell as sweet.”
Today that saying applies as much to mountains as to flowers, as Mt. Sopris’ eastern peak may soon be called, “John Denver Peak.”
Mt. Sopris has been the unofficial symbol of the Roaring Fork River Valley and its surrounding cities since their inception. Its great beauty has called people to live in the shadows of these two great peaks; inspired climbers, hikers and skiers to test themselves on its face, and filled the souls of artists with song, word and visual representation of every form.
As part of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and the White River National Forest, Mt. Sopris’ peaks are also famous for being exactly the same elevation. However, they are known perhaps most famously as the inspiration for singer John Denver’s 1972 song, “Rocky Mountain High.”
John Denver had a very special spot in his heart for Aspen, Snowmass Village and Rocky Mountains; as his music reflects in others of his songs such as “Aspenglow,” and “Starwood in Aspen.” But this deep love for Colorado and the Aspen/Snowmass Village area is reflected even more in his conservation legacy. In an effort to preserve the land that so inspired him, Mr. Denver purchased 1,000 acres of farmland and wilderness just down the hill from Mt. Sopris. He later donated this land to the Windstar Foundation, a conservation group founded by him.
The Aspen Times has announced that long time friend of Mr. Denver, J.P. McDaniel, with the support of Mr. Denver’s family, has acquired more than 1,000 signatures in the effort to officially name the mountain that John Denver loved and was inspired by in a memorial to him.
It is perhaps a fitting memorial, due to the fact that Colorado has embraced Mr. Denver’s music and accepted “Rocky Mountain High” as one of the two state songs.
John Denver’s affection for this area, although famously captured, is not unique. Colorado, and Aspen/Snowmass Village are the kind of place that creep into the soul, and capture it for a lifetime. Aspenites were not called by a job or an opportunity to their town; the mountains and rivers, the trees and flowers have called them.
To get your own ‘Aspenglow,’ click here to see homes on large lots of land, condos at the foot of the mountain, or the perfect investment property. Fall in love with Mt. Sopris and everything else the Aspen/Snowmass Village has to offer today!