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Public Health Order Rescinded Requiring Face Masks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Public Health Order Rescinded Requiring Face Masks
Please review the documents below for the Southern Ute General Election 2021 COVID-19 voting day procedures.
COVID-19 Procedures Voting Day 2021 Update
2021 Sample Ballot
Please click HERE for Nurse Aid Program Application
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 Indian Tribe in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will be offering COVID-19 viral testing to the entire community. Testing is an important piece to protecting our tribal community. Individuals must check-in at the testing event located at the hotel entrance. Follow signs directing traffic to hotel entrance. Face masks are required.
Testing will take place at the Sky Ute Casino Resort, Hotel Entrance TODAY, March 11, 2021 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Testing at this event will be less intrusive and will only take approximately 15 seconds to complete!
Testing will be open to enrolled Southern Ute tribal members, other Ute tribal members, tribal staff and the public for the duration of the entire event, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Results from the testing event will be communicated by tribal staff within 5 business days.
For questions, please contact the Southern Ute COVID-19 Call Center by dialing 970.563.0214, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Please visit the Southern Ute Health Center webpage for current COVID-19 updates, forms and resources.
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
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 Indian Tribe, Environmental Programs Division Air Quality Program is a great resource for air quality monitoring during the #SixShooterFire.
Visit the EPD’s Ambient Monitoring information at:
https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/…/air-q…/ambient-monitoring/
Please see the information below for important health tips while experiencing smoke from the Six Shooter Fire. Also included is help understanding the Ambient Air Monitoring Website.
For updates on the Six Shooter Fire, please continue to monitor the Southern Ute Indian Tribe website, social media, and KSUT Tribal Radio.
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s most important resource is the enrolled Southern Ute tribal members and without its members the Tribe would not exist. On Wednesday, March 25, 2020 the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council in collaboration with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Incident Management Team (IMT) issued the “Stay at Home” Order prioritizing the health and safety of the Tribal Elders, high-risk and immune-compromised members, youth and the entire tribal membership.
At the beginning of the pandemic, the IMT furiously worked to purchase and collect personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits, and funding to adequately respond to the coronavirus outbreak and to prepare for the unknown events in the coming weeks. The IMT developed an agreement with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to mobilize a team of qualified health professionals with resources, testing kits, and PPE to conduct free, voluntary drive-thru viral testing for enrolled Southern Ute tribal members and immediate family members.
A viral test will be conducted to determine individuals who are currently infected with the coronavirus. This is very different from the anti-body testing which will not be conducted at this time. The viral test will help determine how wide-spread the virus is, identify hot-spots within our community, and aide in the tribal priority of keeping our tribal member safe. Approximately 2,000 tests will be conducted over a 3-day period. Tests are not mandatory, but voluntary for those who wish to have a test performed. Tribal Members and immediate household members (including non-enrolled tribal members) can elect to have the test performed.
Tribal Members are encouraged to wear face masks when participating in the viral drive-thru test administration.
Drive-thru viral testing will be performed throughout three days, beginning on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 beginning at 8:00 a.m. in the Sky Ute Casino Resort overflow parking lot (between the Sky Ute Casino Resort and the TERO building). Please see the attached map detailing the testing area and testing process, identifies the entrances, check-in, testing tents where viral test swabs will be collected, and exit.
For maximum efficiency, the IMT has developed a testing schedule modeling the schedule used during both Spring and Fall Cleanup. Further, tribal residential areas have been identified by approximate household size and number of approximate daily testing capabilities.
For example: Tribal Members residing in Cedar Point East, West, and Townhomes will test on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Tribal Elders and tribal members with vulnerabilities are eligible for voluntary testing priority daily from 8:00 9:00 a.m.
If you are unable to be tested on the date identified in the schedule, please contact the Southern Ute Health Center to schedule an appointment to be tested. To schedule an appointment, please call 970.563.4581.
All individuals who are electing to be tested are required to complete a mandatory Testing and Demographics Release form. Parents and Guardians must complete a form for all children in the household. Forms are available on social media, tribal website, Tribal Member Portal, and at the entrance of the drive-thru testing. Tribal Information Services will be at the Check-In station verifying enrollment. Please bring your completed form to expedite the testing process.
Tribal Elders and tribal members who are immobilized or unable to drive to the drive-thru testing location may dispatch assistance by calling the Southern Ute Indian Tribe COVID-19 Call Center at 970.563.0214 to arrange for transportation.
The viral testing will be available to the tribal membership on June 9-11, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.. Priority will be given to Tribal Elders and tribal members with self-diagnosed vulnerabilities the first hour of each day from 8:00 until 9:00 a.m.. Please see the viral testing procedures below:
Follow-up results will only be provided to individuals who have tested positive. Test results are available within 5-7 days. Tribal Members who do not hear a response, should assume the results of their viral test were negative. If your viral test returns a positive result, you will receive a follow-up call from a healthcare professional with the Southern Ute Health Center staff with recommendations for care.
We would like to reiterate that the viral tests are voluntary and available to enrolled Southern Ute tribal members and their immediate family member (including those who are not enrolled). Please bring your completed Testing and Demographics Release form on the day of testing. If you do not have a Testing and Demographics Release form prior to arrival at the testing area, one will be provided to you at the Check-In station. If you have questions, please contact the Southern Ute Indian Tribe COVID-19 Call Center at 970.563.0214. The Call Center hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M.
Tribal Members who are unable to participate in the voluntary drive-thru viral testing June 9-11, 2020, may have the test performed at the Southern Ute Health Center. To schedule an appointment with the health center, please call 970.563.4581.
If you are sick, please self-isolate. If your symptoms begin to worsen, please call your primary healthcare provider or the Southern Ute Health Center at 970.563.4581. Do not arrive at your primary health care provider office without calling to notify the professionals of your symptoms.
Please continue to practice good hygiene by washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, cough and sneeze into the bend of your elbow or in a tissue then throw the tissue away. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects in your home. As a reminder, the Tribal “Stay at Home” Order remains in effect until further notice. Please stay home only leaving for essential activities. When you must leave your home, wear a face mask, continue to practice social distancing staying 6 feet away from others. Stay connected with your loved ones and our tribal elders.
20200603 – SUIT COVID-19 Test and Demo Release Form
AAOS – HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices – 2013