Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans Missing Indigenous Person Alert Activation: 04/02/2024 April 2, 2024 by sbegay Missing Indigenous Person Alert Activation: 04/02/2024 Audrina Bartley was last seen on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 11:30 AM in Albuquerque, NM possibly headed to Durango, CO. Audrina was wearing a white hoodie with “faith over fear”, black skinny jeans, pink shirt, and a white puma backpack. She was not wearing glasses when she was last seen. If seen, please call 911 or the Southern Ute Police Department at970-563-4401. Read more »
Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans PSA: Bear Dance Fire Burn Area Trail Closure and Temporary Ute Road Closure April 1, 2024 by sbegay FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – (970) 563.0100 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist – (970) 563.2313 FOR RELEASE: April 01, 2024 Bear Dance Fire Burn Area Trail Closure and Temporary Ute Road Closure Southern Ute Indian Reservation: On June 3, 2022, the Bear Dance Fire ignited on tribal trust land and burned eighty-nineacres north of the Bear Dance grounds and along the Los Pinos River. In the aftermath, the Environmental Programs Division (EPD) had observed hazardous materials mixed in with the burn area debris on the ground surface in areas paralleling Ute Road. The fire exposed these areas and the presence of hazardous materials, which created a concern for public health. Out of an abundance of caution, Tribal Council closed the Bear Dance Fire burn area. EPD and various environmental professionals have assessed air, soil, water, and vegetation samplings and determined that there is currently minimal risk to human health and the environment. With a commitment to environmental stewardship, Tribal Council has directed EPD to remove these surface materials and remediate the area. Remediation will commence on April 1, 2024, and the project will consist of debris pile removal and the capping of any remaining material in place. While the […] Read more »
Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Indian Tribe welcomes new Sky Ute Casino Resort General Manager March 27, 2024 by sbegay FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2024 Southern Ute Indian Tribe welcomes new Sky Ute Casino Resort General Manager Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Indian Tribe warmly welcomes Mr. Thomas Frank as the new General Manager of the Sky Ute Casino Resort. Mr. Frank will be starting on April 3, 2024, following an impressive career of more than thirty years of experience in business development and casino operations spanning four states and three countries: Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador. Throughout his career, Mr. Frank has played a key role in the development and implementation of over ten gaming start-up projects. This impressive track record includes work with the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe of California, Tolowa Dee-Ni’ Nation, and at the Dakota Sioux Casino. As General Manager, Frank will oversee the daily operations of the Sky Ute Casino Resort and all its amenities, including gaming and entertainment, hotel, restaurants, conference center, and bowling. “We believe his extensive experience and proven leadership will be instrumental in driving positive change and will continue Sky Ute Casino Resort’s legacy as the premier entertainment destination in Southwestern Colorado,” […] Read more »
Administration Community Culture Elections Health Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans Save the Date: QueerMunity Pride Conference March 22, 2024 by sbegay Save the Date: The Ignacio Out and Equal Alliance (IOEA) is hosting the first QueerMunity Pride Conference on June 29th, 2024 in Ignacio, CO. IOEA is accepting workshop proposals until April 25th, 2024. Please scan the QR code or visit the link. Additional details are forthcoming! For more information, please contact IOEA at ignaciooutandequal@gmail.com. -Summer Begay, Communication Specialist. Read more »
Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans For Immediate Release: Tribal Council Advocates for Tribal Interests at the State Capitol March 20, 2024 / March 20, 2024 by sbegay FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2024 Tribal Council Advocates for Tribal Interests at the State Capitol Ute Day at the Capitol was officially designated by Governor Jared Polis in 2019 to publicly celebrate and honor the contributions and sovereignty of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and the Ute Indian Tribe. In addition, this designation encourages Coloradans to actively seek knowledge about the history and heritage of the Ute people in Colorado’s past, present, and future. That history has long been one of broken promises and the infringement of Tribal lands and sovereignty. Agreements with the Ute bands have been dishonored for the economic gains of others. This disrespect is not a relic of a distant past but far too often continues today. To address ongoing violations and historical injustice, Tribal Council traveled to Denver last week to meet with state legislators and the Governor to emphasize the importance of the State to uphold its commitment to Tribal agreements, particularly those concerning Tribal land. On Friday, March 15, 2024, Chairman Baker gave a powerful address to the General Assembly. He […] Read more »
Administration Community Culture Health Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans Southern Ute Permanent Fund Gears Up for the 2024 Spring Clean-Up March 6, 2024 / March 6, 2024 by abarry 2024 Annual Spring Clean-Up April 15-19, 2024 By Appointment Only No pickups over the weekend or the week after. Save the Date! Fall Clean-up Oct 7-11, 2024! Tribal Members, Tribal Departments, and any tenant of the Southern Ute Indian Housing Authority are eligible for Spring Clean-Up services. Tribal Departments will not pick up for non-tribal tenants living in Tribal Member owned rental homes. All pick-ups must be within the boundaries of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation only. Read more »
Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Veterans Tribal Broadband Modernization Project: Phase II Construction Update & Traffic Impacts February 6, 2024 by sbegay FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970-563-2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist – 970-563-2313 FOR RELEASE: February 05, 2024 Tribal Broadband Modernization Project: Phase II Construction Update & Traffic Impacts Project News: Phase II is underway and construction has begun to connect fiber to homes! Where: Crews will be working within the Ignacio town limits, CR-517 near the Sky Ute Casino and Ute Rd. Construction will take place along the edge of the roadways/alleyways. Please see the maps with construction zones indicated in red. What: The broadband project will include trenching, boring, and plowing to lay fiber, as well as reclamation and seeding. Construction vehicles and fiber spools will be visible on the shoulder. When: Construction is ongoing. Hours of operation will be from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Travel Impact: Parking lanes, sidewalks, and alleyways may be temporarily closed during operations. Motorists will be required to reduce speeds and travel safely around the construction taking place on the side of the road. Please remember to slow down in construction zones, eliminate distractions, and drive with extra caution. Motorists are also urged to watch for workers and equipment along the roadway. In the event of an emergency or […] Read more »
Administration Community Culture Health Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans Southern Ute Agency plans the Annual Sundance Pile Rx Burn tomorrow, January 17, 2024 January 16, 2024 by abarry Making notification that the Southern Ute Agency will be conducting the annual Sundance Pile Rx burn tomorrow, Wednesday, January 17, 2024. Attached is the News Release regarding the project. Corey Francis will be the qualified Burn Boss Type 3 (RXB3). For further information, Mr. Francis can be reached directly at (505) 330-4015. Thanks, Corey Francis Read more »
Administration Community Culture Health Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans Tribal Council adopts NEW Title 32 – Civil Truancy Code as part of the SUIT Law and Order Code. January 3, 2024 by abarry On January 2, 2024, the Tribal Council adopted new Title 32 – Civil Truancy Code as part of the SUIT Law and Order Code. Please see the attached Public Notice for more information. A copy of the code can be found at: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/government/tribal-code/ Leslie Barnhart Legal Department Southern Ute Indian Tribe P.O. Box 737 | Ignacio, CO | 81137 970.563.2144 lbarnhart@southernute-nsn.gov Read more »
Administration Community Culture Elections Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans Chairman Baker Welcomes Box as Executive Officer January 3, 2024 by abarry FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 03, 2024 Chairman Baker Welcomes Box as Executive Officer Southern Ute Indian Reservation – In a strategic move to enhance leadership and organizational stewardship, Chairman Melvin J. Baker proudly announces the appointment of Ms. Lindsay J. Box as the Executive Officer of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Permanent Fund. Ms. Box, with a proven track record of leadership brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Having traversed key positions within the Tribe, she possesses invaluable insights and a versatile skill set crucial for the strategic management and growth of the Permanent Fund. Box’s journey includes roles such as Tribal Council Communication Specialist, where she fostered crucial relationships and established robust communication channels to advance the Tribe’s vision. Her expertise as an HR Compliance Specialist contributed to operational excellence at the Southern Ute Growth Fund, showcasing her adeptness in policy formulation and human resources management. Box’s connection to her Nuuchiu heritage fuels her dedication to ensuring traditions thrive alongside modern advancements. Serving on the Board of Directors for the National Tribal Energy Association and CommonSpirit’s Mercy Hospital, she has demonstrated […] Read more »
