Colorado is home to many towns and landmarks with names that trip up even the most confident travelers. Whether the names are of Spanish, French, or Native American origin-or just have a unique local twist-here are 10 of the most mispronounced Colorado places, along with their correct pronunciations and what often goes wrong.
1. Buena Vista
- Correct Pronunciation: BYOO-nuh VIS-tuh
- Common Mistake: Most people use the Spanish pronunciation, “BWAY-nuh VEE-stuh,” but locals insist on the anglicized version.
2. Pueblo
- Correct Pronunciation: PWEB-loh
- Common Mistake: Outsiders might say “Pee-blow” or “Poo-eh-blo,” but locals use a short “e” sound, as in “web”.
3. Cañon City
- Correct Pronunciation: CAN-yon City
- Common Mistake: Many ignore the tilde and say “Cannon City,” but the correct way mirrors the word “canyon”.
4. Ouray
- Correct Pronunciation: YOU-ray
- Common Mistake: It’s tempting to say “OO-ray” or “Oh-ray,” but locals rhyme it with “you”.
5. Saguache
- Correct Pronunciation: suh-WATCH
- Common Mistake: The spelling leads many to try “sag-wash” or “sa-gwah-chee,” but neither is correct.
6. Cache la Poudre
- Correct Pronunciation: kash la POOH-der
- Common Mistake: Many attempt the French “pood-ruh” or “pood-ray,” but locals say “POOH-der”.
7. Salida
- Correct Pronunciation: suh-LIE-duh
- Common Mistake: Spanish speakers might say “sah-LEE-dah,” but the local version rhymes with “glider”.
8. Berthoud
- Correct Pronunciation: BURR-thud
- Common Mistake: Outsiders often rhyme it with “cloud” or say “ber-THOUD,” but the “o” is silent.
9. Uncompahgre
- Correct Pronunciation: un-come-POG-ray
- Common Mistake: This Native American word is often butchered as “un-com-PAH-grey” or “un-com-PAH-gree”.
10. Towaoc
- Correct Pronunciation: TOY-yock
- Common Mistake: Many try “toe-walk” or “toe-wack,” but locals say “TOY-yock”.
Why Are These So Hard?
- Many Colorado place names are borrowed from Spanish, French, and Native American languages, but locals often anglicize or adapt them in unexpected ways.
- Even some English-derived names have unique local twists that can stump visitors.
Sources:
- https://kool1079.com/colorado-words-pronounce/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CevjabpflQ
- https://www.thehivecanoncity.com/faq/how-is-canon-city-pronounced/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi5NRrsvOmI
- https://k99.com/the-most-difficult-town-names-to-pronounce-in-colorado/