![Legend of the Grand Mesa Thunderbirds](http://townsquare.media/site/508/files/2020/11/GettyImages-3293438.jpg?w=980&q=75)
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:
Legend of the Grand Mesa Thunderbirds
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