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For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Reservation Initiates Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

July 1, 2025 / July 1, 2025 by sbegay

United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs Southern Ute Agency Branch of Fire Management For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Reservation Initiates Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Due to the current high temperatures, dry fuel conditions and the occurrence of recent wildland fires, Stage I fire restrictions will be implemented July 1, 2025, for all trust lands throughout the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. Everyone on reservation land is asked to be very cautious and use common sense with fire this time of year. Stage I Fire Restrictions prohibits acts for the general public, commercial operators and industrial oil and gas operators performing work on the Southern Ute Reservation. The following acts are prohibited for the general public on reservation lands: OPEN BURNING. Burning of trash and/or yard waste is prohibited. AGRICULTURAL BURNING. Burning of crop land, fields, rangeland, debris burning, slash piles, prescribed burning and weed burning are prohibited. CAMPFIRES. Building, maintaining or using a warming fire or campfire outside of officially designated or developed camp sites is prohibited. The fire restrictions do not include charcoal fires (in suitable containers) for barbeques or fires for sweat ceremonies, however, such fires are not to be left unattended and are to be fully extinguished […]

SU Tribal Office Closure Notice 07/04/2025

June 24, 2025 / July 7, 2025 by sbegay

SU Tribal Office Closure Notice In observance of Independence Day, the Permanent Fund, Growth Fund, and SUSS offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, July 7, 2025.

SUDEP: Cybersecurity and Internet Safety Basics Training

June 17, 2025 / June 24, 2025 by sbegay

Are you confident in your online safety? The Southern Ute Digital Equity Program (SUDEP) is here to help! Join the Cybersecurity & Internet Safety Basics Training on July 22nd and July 24th. Learn how to protect your personal information and navigate the digital world safely This is open to Southern Ute Tribal Members and First Descendents. Contact SUDEP for more information or sign up by calling 970-563-5555. Those in attendance are eligible to receive a gift card!

For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Welcomes Leonard Redhorse III as New Justice and Regulatory Director

June 11, 2025 / June 24, 2025 by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 9, 2025 Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Indian Tribe proudly announces the appointment of Mr. Leonard Redhorse III as the new Director of the Department of Justice and Regulatory. An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, Mr. Redhorse brings nearly two decades of distinguished service in law enforcement and public safety. He is Tábaahá, born for Tódích’íi’nii. His maternal grandfather is Tsi’najinnie and his paternal grandfather is Tł’ááshchí’í. Mr. Redhorse has served with the Navajo Police Department since 2006, holding various leadership roles including police officer, criminal investigator, sergeant, lieutenant, and most recently, Deputy Chief of Police. His career reflects a deep commitment to justice, community safety, and the advancement of Indigenous leadership in law enforcement. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Redhorse has worked extensively with federal, state, and county agencies to strengthen public safety initiatives. He is especially proud of his work in establishing the Navajo Nation’s first ever comprehensive strategic assessment report for law enforcement and contributing to the development of Next Generation 911 services—both critical efforts in enhancing emergency response and addressing systemic issues affecting Native […]

For Immediate Release: Tribe Calls for Urgent Action from Enterprise Products to Address Pipeline Spill

May 5, 2025 / June 24, 2025 by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2025 Tribe Calls for Urgent Action from Enterprise Products to Address Pipeline Spill Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is calling on Enterprise Products to immediately act with more urgency and transparency to address and mitigate the gasoline pipeline failure that occurred five months ago on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. The pipeline failure, which happened on December 5, 2024 near County Road 219 and Riverview Ranch Road, has resulted in the largest gasoline pipeline spill in Colorado history with an estimated 23,000 gallons of gasoline being released on fee land within the exterior boundaries of the Reservation. This call-to-action was mandated by Chairman Melvin J. Baker, Tribal Council, and Tribal staff during a meeting on May 1st with representatives from Enterprise and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). “We will not stand by while our ground and surface water, Tribal resources, and the health of our Tribal Members are put at risk,” said Chairman Melvin J. Baker. “Enterprise must treat this with the seriousness and urgency it deserves—not just from a regulatory […]

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Awareness Day

May 5, 2025 / May 5, 2025 by sbegay

Today, May 5th, we recognize Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Awareness Day as declared by a Presidential proclamation. In solemn remembrance and to shine a light on this crisis, Tribal Council and staff wore red to honor the lost loved ones and stand with their families. Every name, every story, every relative matters ❤️🪽.

2025 Tribal Energy Associates Program

April 29, 2025 / April 29, 2025 by sbegay

The 2025 Tribal Energy Associates Program is accepting applications for a six-week summer experiential learning opportunity for enrolled Tribal Members ages 18 years and older. The deadline for applications is tomorrow, April 30, 2025 so apply today at www.tribalalternatives.org 💡

For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Calls for Referral of Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Amendment to November Ballot

April 24, 2025 / April 24, 2025 by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 24, 2025 Southern Ute Indian Tribe Calls for Referral of Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Amendment to November Ballot Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Indian Tribe, today calls on the Colorado General Assembly to refer SCR25-002, the Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Amendment, to a vote of the people of Colorado this November. The amendment is currently under consideration by the full Colorado State Senate. The amendment, sponsored by Senators Danielson and Michaelson Jenet and Representative Duran, would allow for Colorado lawmakers to pass laws that permit victims of childhood sexual abuse to bring a civil claim for the sexual abuse regardless of when the sexual abuse occurred. “Our reason for supporting this amendment is simple. We must protect our most precious resource – our children – and keep our communities safe for all. Now is the time to get this done,” Chairman Melvin J. Baker said. “We thank Senators Danielson and Michaelson Jenet and Representative Duran for their leadership on this critical issue.” Sexual violence against Native children is a documented and ongoing crisis. Historical federal policies mandated that […]

For Immediate Release: Incident on Southern Ute Indian Reservation Under Investigation

April 15, 2025 / April 15, 2025 by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2025 Incident on Southern Ute Indian Reservation Under Investigation Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Shortly after midnight on Sunday, April 13, an incident occurred at a residence on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old non-Native juvenile. Details regarding this incident are currently under investigation. The Southern Ute Police Department (SUPD) responded first to the scene, followed by the Los Pinos Fire Protection District (LPFPD) and the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office (LPCSO). Due to the nature of the incident, part of which occurred outside the Reservation boundaries, SUPD and LPCSO will be collaborating in their investigation of the circumstances that led to the death. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time. Executive Officer Lindsay J. Box shared, “My heart breaks for the family and community impacted by this tragic loss. To our youth, your lives are sacred – and there are resources available, please reach out if you need them. You owe it to yourself and your future to protect your […]

BIA Southern Ute Agency: Prescribed Burn/Pile News Release

April 10, 2025 / April 10, 2025 by sbegay

United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs Southern Ute Agency News Release On Thursday, April 10, 2025, the Southern Ute Agency will be conducting a Prescribed Burn/Pile at the Sundance Grounds. The legal description for the burn is township 33N, Range 7W, Section 5. The purpose of the burn is to dispose of brush from last year’s ceremony and the Bear Dance Fire. Smoke will be visible from Ignacio, CO, and surrounding areas. Drivers are encouraged to use caution in the event smoke settles into the road corridor and for vehicles entering/leaving these areas. For more information regarding the project, please contact the Southern Ute Agency, Fire Management Office at (970)-563-4780.

Author: sbegay