At the Open Call to the Public portion of the January 27, 2026 Council meeting several people spoke in support or renaming Columbus Avenue.  Tashanna Yazzie spoke in support of changing the name of Columbus Avenue, citing the historical impact on Native Americans. She noted that the current name is considered disrespectful and proposed the name Hozhóóné, meaning “beauty, harmony, and balance,” reflecting her personal connection to Flagstaff.  Riley Shapia spoke in support of changing the name of Columbus Avenue, stating that the current name is inappropriate. He emphasized that, contrary to popular belief, the U.S. was already inhabited and claimed by Native Americans. He recommended the name Hozhóóné, which means “beautiful.”  Anthony Watson, speaking on behalf of Flagstaff High School and the Native American Club, addressed the renaming of Columbus Avenue. He emphasized that keeping the current name perpetuates historical trauma and causes lasting harm to Indigenous people. He urged the Council to provide a letter of support for renaming and recommended choosing a name that reflects and honors the values of the Flagstaff community.  Ashlynn Arnold stated that she sits on the Indigenous People of Flagstaff Board and is in support of renaming Columbus Avenue. She requested the Council’s support, including a letter to send to the state to update maps. She noted that the current name honors a figure who brought harm to the Americas and stated that the community does not stand for retaining it.  Aliyanna Esplain stated that she was also supportive about the name change.  Paige Autumn Collins, Hailey, Julia, Kenan Begay, Christine Odegaard, McKayla, Michele de la Rosa-John, and Valencia Timms provided written comment supporting the renaming of Columbus Street.

At the February 17, 2026 Council meeting a citizen petition titled "Changing the name of Columbus Ave to an Indigenous representative name"  was presented as a Future Agenda Item Request.  Michelle John, a teacher at Kinsey Elementary, spoke on behalf of students from Kinsey Elementary and Flagstaff High School’s Native American Club to request that Columbus Avenue be renamed to something more appropriate and reflective of the local Native community. The students had prepared a presentation for Council but were unable to attend due to weather-related cancellations. They asked to return at a future date to formally present their proposal.  The City Manager stated that staff would coordinate a future Council meeting to include both a student presentation and a staff report. She noted that any renaming effort would consider the broader corridor, which currently includes Fort Valley Road (Highway 180), Columbus Avenue, and Switzer Canyon Drive, and that staff would seek flexibility to bring back a comprehensive recommendation that better fits the community.  There was requisite Council support to advance the matter to a future agenda for discussion.

Staff researched the number of properties and addresses on Columbus Avenue that would be affected by the proposed name change.  There is a total of ten (10) addresses that would be changed.  

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