Press Releases – Page 4 – Southern Ute Indian Tribe

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SU BIA Agency Fire Notice – Ute 63 Update 07/21/2025

July 21, 2025 / July 25, 2025 by sbegay

With methodical tenacity, firefighters continue the work of suppressing the Ute 63 Fire, burning on Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribal and private land near Hesperus, Colo. The fire is now mapped at 530 acres and is 34% contained; field observers walked the fireline and confirmed the reduction in reported acreage. Crews worked Sunday to secure containment lines and aggressively search for remaining hot spots through a process called mop-up. Mop-up requires firefighters to sift through the earth looking and feeling for pockets of heat in the soil which could flare up and reignite the fire. When heat is discovered, firefighters dig it out and cool it down with water from backpack pumps, hoses, or even helicopters. Today, the 345 firefighters and support personnel assigned to the Ute 63 Fire are expecting more favorable conditions, with cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and a chance of rain. An Interagency Hotshot Crew will work the fire’s northern edge in Morgan Canyon while other crews extend water systems along the fire’s southern edge – all with the goal of keeping the fire firmly within current lines. Firefighters continue to cold-trail along all of the fire’s edges and patrol for any indications of heat. […]

SUDEP: Cybersecurity & Internet Safety Basics Training

July 21, 2025 / July 21, 2025 by sbegay

The Cybersecurity & Internet Safety Basics Training is taking a rain check 🌧️. The Southern Ute Digital Equity Program (SUDEP) is always listening and looking for ways to bring training that is timely, relevant, and energizing. Stay tuned for new opportunities coming your way soon! 💬💻🖱 SUDEP is offering Microsoft Office training in August. To view these trainings being offered, please get in touch with SUDEP at 970-563-5555 or sign up on the SUDEP website https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/sudep/ Got ideas or topics you would love to see? Share them with the SUDEP team via email at kred@southernute.com.

SU BIA Agency Fire Notice – Ute 63

July 16, 2025 / July 21, 2025 by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: BIA Fire Management – 970.563.4571 Summer Begay, PIO – 970.553.0052 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2025 Ute 63 Fire Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The lightning-caused Ute 63 Fire was discovered on the afternoon of July 13, 2025 near Morgan Canyon on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation. Despite a quick response from Ute Mountain Ute BIA Agency and Southern Ute BIA Agency firefighters, the fire continued to grow through the night of the 13th. On July 14, 2025 the Durango Interagency Type 3 Team (IMT3) was ordered to provide oversight and additional resources to the Ute 63 Fire. The Durango Interagency IMT3 is utilizing airtankers, helicopters, 1 dozer, and approximately 96 firefighters to suppress the Ute 63 Fire. Assisting agencies include Los Pinos Fire, Fort Lewis Mesa Fire, Durango Fire, Upper Pine Fire, San Juan County NM Fire, US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. As of 11:30 a.m. on July 16, 2025, the Ute 63 Fire has been mapped at approximately 108 acres and is 25% contained. The Durango Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team anticipates increased containment in the coming days, aided by incoming firefighting resources and a slight drop in temperatures […]

ICE Concern Update Letter 07/15/2025

July 15, 2025 / July 15, 2025 by sbegay

Dear Southern Ute Tribal Members, In light of continuing concerns surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across the country, the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council is providing this update to reassure our Tribal Membership of our active engagement with federal and local authorities. We understand the anxiety and unease, national events have caused—especially among our youth, elders, and families—and want to assure you that we are actively monitoring the situation and engaging our staff to respond appropriately. Our Justice & Regulatory Department is in regular communication with ICE officials to monitor and respond to any potential activity by ICE on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. ICE has confirmed that its current efforts are focused solely on undocumented individuals who have committed serious crimes, have existing deportation orders, and pose a threat to public safety. Should ICE operate within the exterior boundaries of the Reservation it will be done in adherence with the required prior notification and coordination with Tribal authorities, in deference to our Treaty rights, and with full respect for our sovereignty. We strongly encourage all Tribal Members—whether living on or off the Reservation—to carry their Tribal ID and at least one additional form of identification that follows […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 11, 2025 Statement Regarding Public Use of Sacred Ceremonies

July 11, 2025 / July 11, 2025 by tehlers

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACTMelvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 11, 2025 Statement Regarding Public Use of Sacred Ceremonies The Southern Ute Indian Tribe (Tribe) is aware of a video and social media posts recently circulated by Congressional District Three candidate Hope Scheppelman, following a sweat ceremony held on the Southern Ute Reservation. The video and accompanying post inaccurately suggested that the Tribe had issued an invitation to the ceremony and have since been used as campaign material, further misrepresenting the nature of the event and the Tribe’s involvement. Sweat ceremonies hold deep spiritual and cultural significance for our people. They are sacred spaces of healing, reflection, and renewal. While certain ceremonies may be open to the broader community, we ask that all visitors approach them with reverence, honoring the traditions and protocols that guide these sacred practices. The Tribe reaffirms its unwavering commitment to authentic, respectful, and government-to-government consultation—a process rooted in our sovereignty, cultural integrity, and the protocols of our duly authorized leadership. Any engagement that does not follow these formal channels is not recognized as legitimate or representative of the Tribe. We respectfully clarify that the perspectives or invitations extended […]

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

July 1, 2025 / August 7, 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 […]

Category: Press Releases