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Notice of Proposed Amendments to Title 17: TERO Code

February 4, 2026 / February 4, 2026 by sbegay

The Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council is seeking comments from Southern Ute Tribal Members, First Descendants, and the public on proposed amendments to Title 17 – Southern Ute Tribal Employment Rights Code (TERO Code). A copy of the amended TERO Code can be found on the following website: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/government/tribal-code/proposedsouthern-ute-tribal-code/. Please use the contact number at the end of this notice to obtain a hard copy of the proposed TERO Code amendments. The link will direct you to the TERO Code showing the proposed changes, a summary of changes, and a survey and comment form. Use the survey and comment form on the website to answer the survey and provide any additional comments about the amendments. You can also provide comments and answer the survey by phone, email, or in-person by contacting Hilda Burch, TERO Division Head, at the contact information below. Public Comments:The Tribal Council requests that Tribal Members, First Descendants, and family members ofTribal members review the amended code and provide comments no later than February 23,2026, to the TERO Division at:Email: Hilda Burch at: hburch@southernute-nsn.govMail: Hilda Burch, TERO Division, 71 Mike Frost Way, Ignacio, Colorado, 81137.Hand delivery: Justice and Regulatory/TERO Building, 71 Mike Frost Way, Ignacio, Colorado,81137Phone: (970) […]

Notice of Proposed Amendments to Title 13: Wildlife Conservation Code

February 4, 2026 / February 4, 2026 by sbegay

The Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council is seeking comments on proposed amendments to Title 13 – Wildlife Conservation Code. A copy of the amended Wildlife Conservation Code can be found on the following website: 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 proposed Wildlife Code amendments. The link below will direct you to the amended Code showing the proposed changes and a summary of the proposed changes. Use the form on the website to submit comments. You can also provide comments by phone, email, or in-person by contacting Aran Johnson, Wildlife Resource Division Head, at the contact information below. Public Comments: The Tribal Council requests comments no later than February 23, 2026, to the Wildlife Resource Division at: Email: Aran Johnson at: ajohnson@southernute-nsn.gov Mail: Aran Johnson, Wildlife Resource Division, 116 Memorial Drive, Ignacio, CO 81137 Hand delivery: Tribal Annex Building, 116 Memorial Drive, Ignacio, Colorado, 81137 Phone: (970) 563-2413 Website: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/government/tribal-code/proposed-southern-ute-tribal-code/ For further information please contact: Aran Johnson, Wildlife Resource Division Head, Wildlife Resource Division, 116 Memorial Drive, Ignacio, CO 81137; telephone (970)-563- 2413; email: ajohnson@southernute-nsn.gov.

SU Tribal Office Closure 02/16/2026

February 3, 2026 / February 3, 2026 by sbegay

In observance of President’s Day, the Permanent Fund, Growth Fund, and SUSS offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

All Clear: Sky Ute Casino Resort

January 25, 2026 / January 26, 2026 by sbegay

January 25, 2026 | 12:55 PM The evacuation order has been lifted, Sky Ute Casino Resort will reopen this afternoon between 1:45 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. No threat was identified. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this precautionary closure! The safety of our guests and team members is always our top priority. We extend our sincere gratitude to law enforcement for their prompt response and to our staff for their professionalism and leadership throughout the situation.

For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Calls on Colorado Attorney General to Address Unlawful Use of Tribal Lands By Lumen

January 20, 2026 / January 20, 2026 by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2026 Southern Ute Indian Tribe Calls on Colorado Attorney General to Address Unlawful Use of Tribal Lands By Lumen Southern Ute Indian Reservation — On Friday, January 16, 2026, Chairman Melvin J. Baker presented his annual State of the Tribes address to the Colorado General Assembly. In his remarks, he called on the Colorado Attorney General to work with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe (Tribe) to investigate and address Lumen Technologies, Inc.’s unlawful trespass on Tribal lands. After an extensive investigation, the Tribe determined that Lumen Technologies, which was formerly known as CenturyLink, had covertly installed over 100 miles of telecommunications infrastructure on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation without required approvals. Following a comprehensive review of Lumen’s telecommunications infrastructure on the Reservation, the Tribe documented more than 170 miles of Lumen’s telecommunications lines on Tribal lands, including nearly 100 miles installed illegally by Lumen, and its predecessor companies. Many of these facilities were constructed without obtaining required Tribal or Federal authorization or were maintained by Lumen after approved rights-of-way had expired. Lumen often accesses the Tribe’s land through state rights-of-way and uses Tribal […]

+ 2026 State of the Tribes Address +

January 20, 2026 / January 20, 2026 by sbegay

To conclude a productive week in Denver, Chairman Melvin J. Baker delivered his third annual address to the Colorado General Assembly, joined by Council Member Marilyn House of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. These annual addresses—established through Colorado Senate Bill 22‑105—require the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate to invite representatives from both resident Tribes to speak before a joint session of the legislature each year, strengthening ongoing governmental dialogue and recognition since the bill was signed into law in 2022. During his remarks, Chairman Baker provided a brief history of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, highlighted the Tribe’s enduring presence and contributions to southwest Colorado, and addressed key priorities including: – Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) – Securing support for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) – Progress on Enterprise Spill remediation – Collaboration to address unlawful use and trespass on Tribal lands by Lumen – Resolutions related to sports betting. As the state and nation mark the upcoming anniversaries of Colorado 150 and America 250, Chairman Baker reflected: “Long before statehood and long before the founding of this nation, the Ute people have been here since time immemorial. Our history did not begin […]

SU Tribal Office Closure Notice 01/19/2026

January 8, 2026 / January 20, 2026 by sbegay

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr., Day, the Permanent Fund, Growth Fund, and SUSS offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

SU Tribal Office Closure Notice 01/2026

December 29, 2025 / January 8, 2026 by sbegay

In observance of the New Year, the Permanent Fund, Growth Fund, and SUSS offices will be closed from 3:00 PM on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 to Friday, January 2, 2026. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026. Happy New Year!

For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Welcomes Returning Leaders: Barry & Pinnecoose

December 23, 2025 / December 23, 2025 by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Following the certification of the election results, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe welcomed Marjorie D. Barry and Marvin J. Pinnecoose back to leadership during a swearing-in ceremony held on Monday, December 22, 2025. The ceremony took place in the Tribal Council Chambers, where Chief Judge Scott Moore administered the oaths of office. The Council Chamber was filled with families, Tribal Members, and staff, who joined together to celebrate the occasion. Dignitaries in attendance included leaders from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Jicarilla Apache Nation, as well as officials from Archuleta County, the City of Durango, and the Town of Ignacio. Federal representation included staff from the offices of U.S. Representative Hurd, U.S. Senator Hickenlooper, and U.S. Senator Bennet. Council Member Marjorie D. Barry returns for her third term, having first been elected to Tribal Council in 2019. Council Member Marvin J. Pinnecoose begins his second term following his initial election in 2022. During the ceremony, Chairman Melvin J. Baker announced his selection of Marvin Pinnecoose to serve as Vice Chairman for the upcoming term. “The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is fortunate […]

2025 Inauguration Ceremony – Tribal Council (2)

December 15, 2025 / December 23, 2025 by sbegay

Save the Date for the 2025 Inauguration Ceremony celebrating the swearing-in of two incoming Tribal Council Members on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM. This occasion marks an important moment in our Tribe’s governance and future. The event will be held in Tribal Council Chambers at 356 Ouray Drive, Ignacio, CO 81137. The agenda and additional details are forthcoming. Attendance is welcomed in person or virtually via WebEx, and registration is not required. To join virtually, please scan the QR code or use the following link: https://bit.ly/2025sutcWebinar Password: tc2025 For more information, please contact Tribal Council Affairs at 970-563-2313.

Category: Veterans