Open the link below to view the Tribal Council approved resolution to rescind the public health order requiring face masks for the Southern Ute Tribe.
Public Health Order Rescinded Requiring Face Masks
Open the link below to view the Tribal Council approved resolution to rescind the public health order requiring face masks for the Southern Ute Tribe.
Public Health Order Rescinded Requiring Face Masks
President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has proclaimed October 11, 2021 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The Southern Ute Tribal Council supports the recognition of the Indigenous Peoples’ Day and to commemorate the first-ever Presidential Proclamation paying tribute to Indigenous People, I approve the closing of the Tribal Administrative Offices of the Permanent Fund on Monday, October 11, 2021.
Tribal Administrative offices of the Permanent Fund will be closed on Monday, October 11, 2021. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
Melvin J. Baker, Chairman
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.0100
Lindsay J. Box, Communication – 970.563.2313
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 2021
WHEREAS, authority is vested in the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council by the Constitution adopted by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and approved November 4, 1936, and amended October 1, 1975, and August 27, 1991, to act for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe; and
WHEREAS, under Article VII, Section 1 of the Constitution, “The inherent powers of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, including those set forth in [the Indian Reorganization Act], as amended, shall be exercised by the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council, subject only to limitations imposed by the Constitution and Statutes of the United States, by the regulations of the Department of the Interior and by this constitution.”; and
WHEREAS, under Article VII, Section 1(e) of the Constitution, “The [T]ribal [C]ouncil may enact ordinances and codes to protect the peace, safety, property, health and general welfare of the members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe”; and
WHEREAS, under Article VII, Section 1(n) of the Constitution, Tribal Council has the authority, “To protect and preserve the property, wildlife and natural resources of the [T]ribe, and to regulate the conduct of trade and the use and disposition of tribal property upon the reservation.”; and
WHEREAS, in Res. No. 2004-225, the Tribe approved the Southern Ute Community Emergency Operations Plan (“Plan”), the purpose of which is to identify the emergency management process and principles for managing and coordinating the overall response and recovery activities during periods of emergency/disaster resulting from a natural-or human-caused hazard; and
WHEREAS, Section IV(B) of the Plan identifies Emergency Management operational phases, including the Response Phase, which may include incident mitigation activities designed to limit the loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and unfavorable outcomes; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, Section IV(B)(3), response activities may include ongoing public health and testing processes, immunizations, isolation, or quarantine; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, Section V(F), the Tribal Council’s duties in an emergency or disaster include, among other things, signing a resolution declaring an emergency or disaster to protect life and preserve property and the environment by ensuring prevention, preparation, and response measures are in place; and
WHEREAS, in January 2020, the World Health Organization designated the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as a pandemic; and
WHEREAS, in Res. No. 2020-025, Tribal Council declared a state of emergency to respond to the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, in Res. No. 2020-031, Tribal Council approved the Southern Ute Health Center Communicable Disease Response Plan, which allows for, among other things, infection control precautions, including contact, droplet, and airborne precautions; and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, Tribal Council issued a Stay at Home Order limiting visitation to the Reservation and restricting activities to only those activities that were deemed to be essential; and
WHEREAS, on July 17, 2020, Tribal Council issued a Public Health Order requiring face coverings indoors at all times and outdoors when other social distancing measures were not possible; and
WHEREAS, on March 29, 2021, as COVID-19 cases began to level off and a coronavirus vaccine became more readily available in and around the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, Tribal Council issued a Safer at Home Order, which superseded the Stay at Home Order and eased previously established restrictions; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) recently eased recommendations for when face coverings should be worn; and
WHEREAS, the Tribal Council finds it in the interests of public health and safety to continue to require face coverings indoors unless a person is alone; and
WHEREAS, as the number of vaccinated people nationwide has grown and the risk of COVID-19 transmission has therefore decreased, and research shows that COVID-19 is less transmissible in well ventilated outdoor spaces when compared to indoor spaces, Tribal Council finds it is no longer necessary to require people to wear face coverings while outdoors.
NOW THEREFORE, TRIBAL COUNCIL HEREBY ORDERS:
8. This order supersedes the Public Health Order regarding face coverings that was issued on July 17, 2020.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Order shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on June 2, 2021 and will continue until it is no longer necessary as deemed by the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council.
(Signed by Chairman Melvin J. Baker)
06012021 – Amended Public Health Order of the SUIT re Face Coverings
05272021 FINAL-IMT-Phase II Safer at Home-Level 3-Outdoor Mask Flyer
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:
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, to protect the health of the tribal membership and the community, the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council issued a ‘Stay at Home’ Order. The Order requires people to stay home unless it is for an essential activity and prohibits public gatherings of more than 5 people.
It is important that everyone adheres to this Order to stop the spread of COVID-19. Before this pandemic, tribal members and family members gathered to celebrate birthday, special events, and holidays. Because of the social distancing requirements, Tribal Council encourages tribal members to use technology to participate in celebrations.
Individuals are prohibited from accessing closed tribal property. Violations could result in citations for trespassing and violators could be fined $150 and/or up to 30 days in jail.
“While each of us is accustomed to spending the holidays with our friends and family, the outbreak of COVID-19 has forces us to be adaptable in our celebrations. By following the ‘Stay at Home’ Order and celebrating with immediate household members, the sooner we can get back to enjoying the company of many of our friends and family,” said Chairman Christine Sage.
Please stay safe this Easter Weekend by celebrating from home. We encourage connecting with family outside of your home using technology.
Effective immediately, in response to COVID-19 prevention efforts the Transfer Station hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.