Administration Community Culture Elections Health latest-news Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Warns Against Erasure in National Park Signage March 26, 2026 / March 26, 2026 by sbegay FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2026 Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Tribal Council is aware of a circulating article from the Vail Daily and affirms the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s stance on the ongoing effort by federal agencies to remove educational materials that federal officials deem to be disparaging of the United States. Many of today’s National Parks were once Tribal lands, as evidenced through oral histories and countless archaeological sites. What is now known as Mesa Verde National Park was formerly part of the Consolidated Ute Indian Reservation under the terms of a treaty negotiated with the federal government. That treaty—like many treaties between the United States and Tribal Nations—was ultimately violated by the federal government, resulting in the significant reduction of our Reservation lands today. It is important that visitors to our National Parks learn about the people who called – and still call –these places home. The United States tried to eradicate our people and our culture. We still exist. Eliminating mention of Tribes and our histories from educational materials is the modern-day version of Indian boarding schools and Tribal Termination. The history […] Read more »
Administration Community Culture Elections Health latest-news Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans + 2026 General Meeting + March 24, 2026 / March 27, 2026 by sbegay The General Meeting will be held starting at 9:00 AM on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Sky Ute Casino Resort in the Event Center. This is a closed meeting for the Southern Ute Tribal Membership. There are 3 ways to join the General Meeting: 1. In-Person: Registration is not required, and we look forward to seeing you there! 2. Live Stream: Registration is required. Please use the following link or QR code to register with your information and census number. To expedite the process please use your “so-ute” email address. Please do not share your registration information with anyone. Link: https://bit.ly/2026sugm 3. Recording: If you are not able to attend, the live stream recording will be available on the Tribal Member Portal (TMX). The agenda is forthcoming and will be made available on the Tribal Member Portal in advance of the General Meeting. For technical assistance with your “so-ute” account, please contact SUDEP at 970-563-5555. To create an account for TMX, please visit, https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/tmx/. For more information, please contact Tribal Council Affairs at 970-563-2313. Read more »
Administration Community Culture Elections Health latest-news Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans For Immediate Release: Texaco Hill Tanker Truck Incident: Response, Accountability, and Remediation Efforts March 23, 2026 / March 23, 2026 by sbegay FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Marvin Pinnecoose, Vice Chairman – 970.563.2402 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2026 Southern Ute Indian Reservation – At approximately 4:30 a.m. on March 22, 2026, a tanker truck and trailer overturned on Texaco Hill, resulting in a release of oil-based drilling fluids. The operator of the vehicle was transported to an area medical facility and is reported to be in stable condition. The operator of the vehicle was not affiliated with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund (Growth Fund) and was engaged as an independent subcontractor by a non-Tribal operator. Mitigation and containment efforts began at approximately 6:00 a.m. Initial estimates indicate that approximately 80–120 barrels of oil-based drilling fluids may have been released as a result of the incident. An immediate response was initiated, involving approximately 75 personnel from the respective operators and its sub-contractors. Their prompt actions focused on securing the site, protecting surrounding areas, and beginning cleanup and mitigation measures. Based on current assessments, the location of the spill is not expected to impact surface water, groundwater, agricultural areas, wildlife, or identified cultural resources. We extend our sincere appreciation to Tribal departments and first responders for their coordination and support, […] Read more »
Uncategorized Southern Ute Tribal Council Enacts Amendments to Title 26 – Liquor Code March 16, 2026 / March 16, 2026 by abarry By Resolution No. 2026-029, the Southern Ute Tribal Council enacted amendments to Title 26 – Liquor Code. Title 26 is an existing code. The amended version replaces the prior version in the SUIT Law and Order Code. Title 26 was approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and published in the Federal Register on March 5, 2026. The Liquor Code is effective as of March 5, 2026. The Liquor Code can be found online at: Mail: Southern Ute Indian Tribe, P.O. Box 737, 356 Ouray Drive, Ignacio, CO 81137 Phone: (970) 563-2208 Website: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/government/tribal-code/ For further information please contact: Amy Barry, Tribal Information Services Department, abarry@southernute-nsn.gov, (970) 563-2250. Read more »
Administration Community Culture Elections Health latest-news Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans Tribal Court Closure 03/09/2026 March 9, 2026 / March 9, 2026 by sbegay March 9, 2026 In observance of memorial services for Jack Frost Jr. (Egap), the Tribal Court will be closed from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. All scheduled hearings will proceed as planned. Thank you for your understanding! Read more »
Administration Community Culture Elections Health latest-news Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans Let’s Patch Things Up: Road Maintenance March 2, 2026 / March 2, 2026 by sbegay Warmer weather is approaching and with it, road wear may become more noticeable. The La Plata County Public Works Department oversees the maintenance of 653 miles of county roads. To report road concerns to the County, please use the link below or scan the QR code. For road concerns within Tribal jurisdiction, please contact the Southern Ute Division of Transportation (SUDOT) at 970-563-4755 or email suroadmaintenance@southernute-nsn.gov, use the link below or scan the QR code. La Plata County: https://www.lpcgov.org/departments/road_and_bridge/repair_request_form.phpSUDOT: https://bit.ly/sudot Read more »
Uncategorized Southern Ute Tribal Council Seeks Public Comment on Title 8 – Protective Custody Code February 26, 2026 / February 27, 2026 by abarry The Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council is seeking comments on proposed amendments to Title 8 – Protective Custody Code. A copy of the amended code can be found at: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/government/tribal-code/proposed-southern-ute-tribal-code/. Please use the contact number at the end of this notice to obtain a hard copy of the amended code. The link will direct you to a draft of the amended code, a summary of changes, and a comment form. Use the comment form on the website to provide comments. DATES: Written comments must be received no later than March 23, 2026. METHODS FOR SUBMITTING COMMENTS You can provide comments using any of the following methods: 1. Notice of Proposed Codes website: Go to: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/government/tribal- code/proposed-southern-ute-tribal-code/. Scroll to “Protective Custody Code” and click the link that says “Provide comments HERE.” 2. Email: Send comments to: jkeyes@southernute-nsn.gov. 3. Mail: Send comments to: Shannon Eastwood, Tribal Services, 116 Capote Drive, PO Box 737, #47, Ignacio, Colorado, 81137. 4. Hand delivery: Take comments to the Mouache-Capote Building, 116 Capote Drive, Ignacio, Colorado, 81137, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Tribal holidays. 5. Phone: (970)-563-2324. TOWN HALL MEETINGS: There will be two town hall meetings to provide information about the […] Read more »
Administration Community Culture Elections Health latest-news Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans 2026 Ute Day at the Capitol February 25, 2026 / March 23, 2026 by sbegay Tribal and State leadership will celebrate the rich heritage, culture, and contributions of the Nuuchiu to the State of Colorado during Ute Day at the Capitol on Friday, March 20, 2026, in Denver, Colorado at the State Capitol in the West Foyer (200 E. Colfax Ave). The Speaking Program will begin at 10:15 a.m. and conclude at 10:55 a.m. The agenda is detailed below:– Color Guard & Drum Group, Yellow Jacket Singers– Invocation– Remarks from Southern Ute Vice Chairman Marvin Pinnecoose, Ute Mountain Ute Council Member Conrad Jacket, & Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera– Ute Youth Council & Royalty Introductions For those unable to attend, the event will be livestreamed on the Tribe’s Facebook page. A lunch will be held at History Colorado (1200 Broadway, Denver, CO) starting at 12:00 p.m., followed by presentations until 3:00 p.m. This event is open to Tribal Members and the public. Attendees are responsible for arranging their transportation and accommodations. Specialty Tours will be available and led by Capitol staff. Sign-up sheets will be available at the event on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please contact the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs at 720-402-4206, SUIT Tribal Council Affairs at 970-563-2313, or the UMUT […] Read more »
Administration Community Culture Elections Health latest-news Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Welcomes Technology Leader, Imad Sweidan February 24, 2026 / February 24, 2026 by sbegay FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2026 Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is pleased to formally welcome Imad Sweidan, an information technology executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience in IT strategy, infrastructure, and operations. Mr. Sweidan serves as the Chief Information Officer for Southern Ute Shared Services. Mr. Sweidan has built an accomplished international career across the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, contributing to major advancements in cybersecurity, telecommunications, and large‑scale IT service delivery. He previously held senior leadership positions at the Prince Mohamed University, Abu Dhabi Media Company, AlMansoori Specialized Engineering LLC, Etisalat, and McMurry University. Mr. Sweidan holds a degree in Engineering Science from Colorado State University, providing him with a strong technical foundation that has guided his long-standing success in modernizing and managing complex IT environments. Outside of his professional achievements, Imad is married and a proud father of seven. He enjoys volleyball, soccer, and swimming, and carries the same spirit of teamwork, resilience, and enthusiasm into his leadership approach—leading by example in all that he does. Chairman Melvin J. Baker […] Read more »
Administration Community Culture Elections Health latest-news Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans Tribal Office Closure: Inclement Weather 2/20/2026 February 20, 2026 / February 24, 2026 by sbegay Due to inclement weather, Chairman Baker has granted administrative leave for employees today, February 20, 2026. Tribal Offices will be closed. Normal business hours will resume at 8:00 AM on February 23, 2026. Tribal Members and the general public are encouraged to reschedule any business that would have been conducted during the closure. The Boys and Girls Club will be closed. Patients with appointments at the Southern Ute Health Center will be contacted to reschedule at the earliest convenience. For urgent needs, the triage line will remain available at 970-563-4581. Please continue to monitor weather-related updates via Tribal social media platforms, Tribal website, and the Tribal Hotline at 970-563-4800. Stay Warm! Read more »
