Author: Web Admin
PSA Tribal Broadband Modernization Project: Phase II Construction Update & Traffic Impacts
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970-563-2320
Summer Begay, Communication Specialist – 970-563-2313
FOR RELEASE: February 05, 2024
Tribal Broadband Modernization Project:
Phase II Construction Update & Traffic Impacts
Project News: Phase II is underway and construction has begun to connect fiber to homes!
Where: Crews will be working within the Ignacio town limits, CR-517 near the Sky Ute Casino and Ute Rd. Construction will take place along the edge of the roadways/alleyways. Please see maps below with construction zones indicated in red:
What: The broadband project will include trenching, boring, and plowing to lay fiber, as well as reclamation and seeding. Construction vehicles and fiber spools will be visible on the shoulder.
When: Construction is ongoing. Hours of operation will be from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Travel Impact: Parking lanes, sidewalks and alleyways may be temporarily closed during operations. Motorists will be required to reduce speeds and travel safely around the construction taking place on the side of the road. Please remember to slow down in construction zones, eliminate distractions, and drive with extra caution. Motorists are also urged to watch for workers and equipment along the roadway.
In the event of an emergency or to report a reckless driver, please contact Southern Ute Police Department by dialing (970) 563-4401.
To find more information about the Tribal Broadband Modernization Project, please visit the project website at https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/broadband-modernization-project/
Toghoyaqh!
Southern Ute Royalty Pageant – August 18, 2021
Southern Ute Reservation Initiates Stage I Fire Restrictions
NEWS RELEASE
SOUTHERN UTE RESERVATION INITIATES STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Ignacio, CO, June 14, 2021
Due to the current high temperatures, dry fuel conditions and the occurrence of recent wildland fires, Stage I fire restrictions have been implemented 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.
- CAMP FIRES. 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 after use.
- Possession, discharging or use of any type of fireworks is prohibited.
Commercial and Industrial restrictions can be obtained from the BIA Fire Office at 575 County Road 517 or by calling (970) 563-4571.
Anyone violating the provisions of this fire ban may be subject to prosecution outlined in the Southern Ute Indian Criminal Code.
The Restrictions will become effective at 06:00 AM, June 16, 2021 and will remain until conditions improve.
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Chairman Baker selects Olguin to lead Southern Ute Permanent Fund
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.0100
Lindsay J. Box – 970.759.1494
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 11, 2021 – 1:00 P.M.
Chairman Baker selects Olguin to lead Southern Ute Permanent Fund
Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Southern Ute Tribal Chairman Melvin J. Baker has appointed James M. “Mike” Olguin as the Executive Officer over the Southern Ute Permanent Fund.
“The role and responsibility of Executive Officer is vast and requires an individual with exceptional communication, time management, conflict resolution, problem solving skills while also working as a liaison between the tribal membership, tribal departments, and the tribal leadership,” stated Chairman Baker. “As we begin the new year under a new Chairman and Vice Chairman, I also wanted to begin with sharing my appointment of a new Executive Officer. It is important to me to take the necessary time to select the right individual for this role.”
The prominent position provides administrative support and guidance to Tribal Departments in accordance with Tribal Policies and Procedures and legal requirements as delegated by the Tribal Chairman; ensuring that the tribal membership receive quality services in an equitable manner and within established program guidelines and approved budgetary limitations. The office must also work to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department plans and programs to ensure that they are achieving the purpose for which they were intended.
Olguin enters the office with a large amount of experience. He served on Tribal Council a total of 9 years, including three years as Vice Chairman and two years as Treasurer, and has served twice as Executive Officer under Chairman Leonard C. Burch and Chairman Clement J. Frost.
“I take this appointment with great honor and humbleness with a clear drive and motivation to serve the people of our tribe in administering and managing the affairs of the Permanent Fund to the level of expectations of the Chairman, and Tribal Council, utilizing the work of the professional staff and their charge in carrying out the duties that serve the membership. It is my intent to ensure we have an administration that is progressive yet accountable in its day to day functions and tasks. I look forward to the challenges but know there are a lot of hard-working teams that will assist me in carrying out my duties,” stated Olguin.
Olguin has also worked as the Vice President of Regulatory Management for Sky Ute Sand and Gravel, Director of Natural Resources, and Supervisor of Wildlife Conservation Office. Olguin also brings a plethora of experience from serving on the following tribal committees: Growth Fund Management Committee, Red Cedar Gathering Company Management Committee, Permanent Fund Budget Committee, Southern Ute Indian Tribe Audit Committee, Growth Fund Tribal Member Employment Advisory Committee, and Permanent Fund Credit Committee among others.
“I believe Mr. Olguin will work alongside Tribal Council and my office in the best interests of the tribal membership and the tribal organization. His experience makes him an ideal candidate for the role as Executive Officer and provides him with both the knowledge and ability to implement my vision of progress,” expressed Chairman Baker. “I would also like to thank Mrs. Barbara Scott-Rarick and her commitment to a smooth transition as well as an extension of her appointment while I pursued a successor.”
Chairman Baker will appoint a second Executive Officer in the coming weeks.
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Southern Ute Indian Tribe COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance
As we near the holiday season and witness a new year on the horizon, we are met with continue uncertainty about our future. We have been center stage to an unprecedented viral pandemic, one that has not been seen in over one hundred years. We have seen, and some have experienced, tragic illness and loss throughout our community. As the year draws to a close, two biotech companies have developed and launched a vaccine against the virus, brining much needed hope.
Both Pfizer and Moderna have been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). An EUA provided by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows the use of a new medical product during the time of a public health emergency. Both vaccines developed by two separate biotech companies have proven to be highly efficacious (both over 90%).
Please read the information below to learn about both vaccines and the distribution schedule.
For more information, please contact the Southern Ute Health Center at 970.563.4581 or the Southern Ute COVID-19 Call Center at 970.563.0214.
Designed & Published by Lindsay J. Box
Tribal Member COVID-19 Vaccine Survey
The Southern Ute Incident Management Team and Tribal Health Department would like to solicit participation in the Tribal Member COVID-19 Vaccine Survey to determine the level of participation of the membership as well as the questions and concerns that might exist.
The survey collection will begin on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 and conclude on Friday, January 23, 2021. Tribal Members can participate in the survey in the following ways.
𝟭. 𝗩𝗶𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘆 – a link to the Survey Monkey can be found on the tribal social media, Tribal Member Portal, and on Southern Ute Drum website.
𝟮. 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗗-𝟭𝟵 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 (𝟵𝟳𝟬.𝟱𝟲𝟯.𝟬𝟮𝟭𝟰) – share responses directly with Call Center staff who will collect your survey results. Membership can also request a hard copy survey to be mailed via the Call Center.
𝟯. 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 (𝟵𝟳𝟬.𝟱𝟲𝟯.𝟰𝟳𝟬𝟱 𝗲𝘅𝘁. 𝟳𝟵𝟬𝟮) – Please leave your responses in numerical order.
For questions or for more information, please contact Ms. Lindsay J. Box, Tribal Council Communication Specialist at 970.563.2313 or via email at lbox@southernute-nsn.gov
𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗨𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿, 𝗗𝗿. 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗞𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿
Dr. Richard Keller will host a virtual town hall for the tribal membership to share information and participate in a Q&A on the COVID-19 vaccines that will be available to the tribal membership and patients of the Southern Ute Health Center (SUHC).
𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟳 & 𝟮𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭
𝟱:𝟯𝟬 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝟲:𝟯𝟬 𝗽.𝗺.
𝗪𝗲𝗯-𝗘𝘅 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸
Photo Credit | Lindsay J. Box
Designed & Produced by Lindsay J. Box
The Southern Ute Tribal Court has issued Administrative Order 2020-03, modifying their operating services until further notice.
The Southern Ute Tribal Court has issued Administrative Order 2020-03, modifying their operating services until further notice. The attached Administrative Order is effective Monday, November 16, 2020. The Southern Ute Tribal Court will only hear cases that directly affect public safety or are mandated to be heard pursuant to the Southern Ute Tribal Code. Please call the Tribal Court’s communication line at (970) 563-0240, for updated information.
Please click on the following link for more detailed information regarding this order:
Technical Advisory Bulletin for Tribal Title V Owners and Operators (COVID-19) March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
Technical Advisory Bulletin
To: All Tribal Title V Owners and Operators:
This technical advisory bulletin is being issued to address compliance concerns or non-compliance that could result at Title V permitted facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, state, local, and the Southern Ute Indian tribal government have been forced to take drastic actions to limit social contact including stay-at-home orders for non-critical employees and closures of certain businesses. The Tribe’s Air Quality Program (AQP) understands that owners and operators are facing many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is issuing this guidance to help operators take measures to document these challenges for compliance reporting purposes.
To document compliance concerns and issues that are directly resultant from challenges relating to the pandemic, the AQP recommends, at a minimum, that operators keep detailed logs, including the reason for non-compliance and maintain all relevant data to support claims (e.g., correspondence with operations personnel, stack test companies, contractors, etc.). Additionally, AQP recommends keeping in contact with the AQP regarding issues as they arise. For urgent matters and prompt deviation reporting during this time, reports can be submitted to: airquality@southernute-nsn.gov. All other logs and records can be submitted to the AQP at a later date.
If owners and operators are able to comply with their Title V permit requirements on time, we strongly encourage you to do so using the processes normally used. Where compliance is impacted by orders aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19, the AQP expects owners and operators to exercise reasonable due diligence. Correspondingly, the AQP will exercise discretion in granting administrative and enforcement relief for various reporting requirements and deadlines of regulated entities as conditions warrant in response to COVID-19.
It is the AQP’s expectation that permittees will take actions minimizing the effects and duration of any noncompliance caused by COVID-19 and will use “best efforts” to return to compliance at the earliest opportunity
If you have any questions regarding compliance during this time, please contact Mr. Oakley Hayes, Air Quality Technical Manager, at (970) 563-2244 or me at (970) 563-2265.
Danny Powers
Air Quality Program Manager
The Southern Ute Air Quality Program