Southern Ute Indian Tribe

News

News

For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Welcomes Leonard Redhorse III as New Justice and Regulatory Director

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 communities.
“Southern Ute is fortunate to welcome a leader whose roots and experience in Indian Country will strengthen our foundation and move our justice system with dignity and purpose. Mr. Redhorse’s leadership philosophy aligns deeply with the values we must uphold. He brings operational expertise and supervisory strength, but also a profound respect for community-centered policing and tribal sovereignty,” stated Lindsay J. Box, Executive Officer. “His understanding that every individual deserved to be treated with care, compassion, and fairness speaks to the heart of what public safety should be in Indian Country.”
Mr. Redhorse holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s prestigious School of Police Staff and Command. He maintains multiple law enforcement commissions, including Arizona and Navajo POST certifications, as well as a Federal Special Law Enforcement Commission. In addition, he has completed advanced leadership training through the Department of Homeland Security and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, further preparing him to lead with integrity, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to public service.
“It is a profound honor to serve the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in this capacity. I am committed to upholding and advancing the Tribe’s sovereignty through strong, culturally grounded justice systems and collaborative public safety efforts. My goal is to foster trust, transparency, and innovation while ensuring the protection and well-being of the Tribal Membership”, shared Mr. Redhorse.
Chairman Melvin J. Baker stated, “We are honored to welcome Mr. Leonard Redhorse III as our new Justice and Regulatory Director. His experience in law enforcement and gaming, commitment to Indigenous justice, and proven leadership make him an invaluable addition to our team. We are confident that Mr. Redhorse will help strengthen our justice systems, protect our sovereignty, and uphold the safety and dignity of our Tribal Members. His vision aligns with our values, and we look forward to the positive impact he will bring to our community.”
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe warmly welcomes Mr. Redhorse as he transitions into this important position. He can be reached at 970-553-0995 or via email at lredhorse@southernute-nsn.gov. His leadership and extensive experience are highly valued, and the Tribe looks forward to the positive impact he will have in this vital role.
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The Southern Ute Lands Division Announces a 45-day notice for Agricultural Assignment

The Southern Ute Lands Division is currently advertising a 45-day notice of availability of tribal land for an agricultural assignment.
To apply for a Land Assignment, eligible Tribal member applicants must submit an Application for Assignment of Tribal Lands, a Farm Plan, and a drawing card containing their name, address, and contact information (including phone number and email). The Lands Division will review the submitted applications and determine the adequacy of the farm plan according to the land’s needs.
If you are a tribal member and want to confirm your interest in an assignment, you can submit an application and a qualified farm plan. If you have any comments or objections about the assignment, you can submit them as well.
You can either mail, email, or deliver in person your submission to the Department of Natural Resources – Lands Division at PO Box 737, Ignacio, CO 81137, contact us at 970-563-0126, or contact us via email at sluzar@southernute-nsn.gov or via phone at 970-563-0126

 

For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Welcomes Navajo Nation 25th Council

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Marvin Pinnecoose, Vice Chairman – 970.563.2402
Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313
Mihio Manus, Navajo Nation Communication Director – 928.871.7234
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2025
Southern Ute Indian Tribe Welcomes Navajo Nation 25th Council
Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Yesterday morning, Vice Chairman Marvin Pinnecoose, Tribal Council, and members of the Navajo Nation 25th Council’s Resources and Development Committee (RDC), gathered in the Southern Ute Tribal Council Chambers for a significant and productive meeting focused on shared interests and future collaboration.
The visit served as an opportunity to strengthen intertribal relationships. The discussions centered on strategic partnerships in energy development, agriculture, and other mutually beneficial projects that will support the economic and cultural well-being of both Tribes.
Vice Chairman Pinnecoose welcomed the delegation, stating, “It is an honor to host our relatives from the Navajo Nation. This meeting signifies the start of a meaningful collaboration between our Tribes as we work to steward our lands, strengthen our intertribal unity, and safeguard our sovereignty through shared knowledge, innovation, and dialogue.”
The 25th Navajo Nation Council Delegates included RDC Chair Brenda Jesus, RDC Vice Chair Casey Allen Johnson, Rickie Nez, and Otto Tso. “As sovereign nations, it is vital that we continue to build meaningful partnerships that uplift our communities and amplify our collective voice. We are grateful to the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council for sharing the successes of their growth operations, which serve as a powerful model for how strategic development can enhance the well-being of our people,” said RDC Chair Jesus.
The Navajo delegation then visited with the Growth Fund to learn more about the foundation of the business entity of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Navajo Nation for visiting us. Your presence and the meaningful conversations we shared with the Resources and Development Committee (RDC) have laid a solid foundation for future partnerships. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and building a prosperous future together,” said Shane Seibel, Executive Director for the Southern Ute Growth Fund.
Members of the Navajo Nation 25th Council shared that the visit offered valuable insight into how tribal enterprises can succeed with clarity, transparency, and operational efficiency.
The leaders agreed to continue working closely on common priorities and agreed to future visits, information exchanges, and joint initiatives that reflect the values and goals of both Tribes. This visit underscores a growing spirit of unity across Indian Country, setting the stage for collaborative efforts that reflect the strength of Indigenous leadership and the promise of intertribal partnerships.
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For Immediate Release: Tribe Calls for Urgent Action from Enterprise Products to Address Pipeline Spill

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 standpoint, but from a moral and environmental one. Failure to move now will impact our water rights, wildlife, cultural sites, and properties for years to come. It is our duty as leaders and original stewards to protect the land that has been home to our ancestors since time immemorial and will be home for our future generations to come.”

The Tribe has been actively engaged from the beginning to address the pipeline failure and spill. The Tribe’s Environmental Programs Department immediately contacted CDPHE upon learning of the spill to ensure the Tribe was fully consulted and included in the response. Since then, although CDPHE has taken the lead in coordinating mitigation efforts with Enterprise, Tribal staff have worked tirelessly to monitor the situation and advocate for the protection of Tribal Members, natural resources, the environment (particularly water quality), and the local community.

As a result of the spill and poor recovery efforts from Enterprise, benzene – a known carcinogen found in gasoline – has migrated away from the release and has been increasingly detected in a spring approximately 0.3 miles away from the Animas River. To date, current levels of groundwater contamination from the spill has forced Enterprise to install 12 cistern systems for homes whose wells have been completely contaminated and install 15 Point of Entry Treatment (POET) filtration systems, with many more under threat of the same. If the spill were to reach the nearby Animas River in elevated concentrations, the danger to plant, animal, and human life in the local area and potentially downstream along the river could be widespread. Despite this, Enterprise still does not have a site-specific contingency plan in place to protect the Animas River.

Due to the severity of the spill, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also issued a Notice of Federal Interest in the pipeline failure and spill, underscoring the Tribe’s call for urgency and the need for immediate action to protect the Reservation, Tribal Members, and surrounding communities from the escalating harms of continued inaction.

As the original stewards of this land, the Tribe has made multiple formal requests for data and timely information to assess and respond to the spill’s current and potential impacts. Additionally, with the limited data the Tribe has received, technical experts from the Tribe’s Environmental Programs Department and Growth Fund’s Department of Energy have requested specific action items to address discrepancies associated with the inadequate data associated with the geologic evaluation and engineering aspects of the response. These action items included a site-specific contingency plan which will assist in determining the actual threat and cleanup measures that would be implemented if this spill migrates to the Animas River and methods for gasoline source removal and recovery from the spill location. Despite these efforts, the response from Enterprise has lacked the urgency and transparency this situation demands to minimize impacts and risk to the Animas River and Tribal resources. Chairman Baker and Tribal Council emphasized this fact at the May 1st meeting.

At that meeting, Tribal Council also expressed concerns with CDPHE about why no one from the State had ever visited the site of the spill considering that it occurred five months ago, is the largest pipeline gasoline spill in Colorado history, and CDPHE has been the lead regulatory body. CDPHE visited the site for the first time on May 1st. In comparison, Tribal staff and consultants have visited the site numerous times and have been collecting their own samples. Because the spill occurred on the Tribe’s Reservation and near the Tribe’s water resources, the Tribe cannot ignore it and has proactively mobilized significant resources to address it. The citizens of southwestern Colorado and the Reservation deserve the same swift government response as the rest of the State, and where the Tribe sees an inadequate response to an environmental issue on the Reservation, the Tribe will address it. Tribal Council made clear during the meeting that, because of the potential spread of contamination, the Tribe would continue to work closely with the State as a stakeholder and would be monitoring the progress and ensuring it was adequately evaluated and addressed. Tribal Council informed both Enterprise and CDPHE that the Tribe’s technical experts are ensuring that all scientific and engineering aspects of the spill will adequately address the release. It would further hold Enterprise accountable for all damage to the Tribe and Tribal Members, and any impact on natural and cultural resources.

The Tribe remains committed to ensuring a thorough and accountable cleanup process and will continue to advocate for the health, safety, and rights of its community.

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Tribe Calls for Urgent Action from Enterprise Products to Address Pipeline Spill Press Release 05052025 PDF

Southern Ute Tribe seeks applicants to fill a Commission Vacancy on the SUIT/State of CO Environmental Commission

Are you interested in environmental issues and want to be more involved? The Southern Ute Air Quality Division’s (AQD) Environmental Commission may be the perfect place for you! This six-member joint Commission has equal Tribal and State representation and meets approximately twice a year to vote on rules and regulations for the SUIT AQD. As an Environmental Commission Member, you will have the chance to expand your knowledge on current issues, be a voice for your community, and shape the future of Tribal air quality.
The application deadline has been extended, and interested individuals can now send a letter of interest to airquality@southernute-nsn.gov before 5:00pm MDT on May 21st, 2025. Not interested in applying, but still want to learn more about what we do? Come to our next Environmental Commission meeting on October 29th, and please spread the word if you know other community members who may be interested in applying to this position or attending these public meetings.
AQD is looking forward to receiving applications from more qualified individuals (qualifications listed in attached Vacancy description) for Tribal appointment to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe/State of Colorado Environmental Commission. Visit the AQD Environmental Commission website https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/…/air…/env-commission/ to learn more about the position, the commission, and how to apply!

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Awareness Day

Today, May 5th, we recognize Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Awareness Day as declared by a Presidential proclamation.
In solemn remembrance and to shine a light on this crisis, Tribal Council and staff wore red to honor the lost loved ones and stand with their families. Every name, every story, every relative matters ❤️🪽.

Southern Ute Wildlife Division offers (6) Lone Mesa State Park Access Permits in Brunot Area to Tribal Members

Lone Mesa State Park Access Permits:

The Southern Ute Wildlife Division will have six (6) Lone Mesa State Park Access Permits available to Southern Ute tribal member hunters for the 2025 Hunting Season.

Permit holders will be allowed choose one established hunt season to access Lone Mesa State Park. Season dates and weapon restrictions will apply.

The access permits will either be available first-come first-serve, or through a draw if there is sufficient interest. Deadline for sign-up is Friday, June 27th, 2025.

Please contact the Wildlife Division at (970) 563- 0130 for more information.