FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

BIA, Southern Ute Agency Fire Management – 970.563.4571

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2020

 

Southern Ute Reservation Rescinds Stage I & II Fire Restrictions

Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Due to the recent and widespread monsoon moisture, Stage I and Stage II fire restrictions have been rescinded for all trust lands throughout the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.

Fire Restrictions have been in place since early May, 2020. During that time there have been a total of 18 fires on the reservation with the largest being the 220 acre Six Shooter fire.  Southern Ute Agency and Tribal fire personnel have also responded to fires throughout the Durango Zone assisting on numerous fires including the 2,000 acre East Canyon fire near Mancos, CO.

Fire personnel are still responding to lightning caused fires within and bordering the reservation and the fire season is expected to continue through the summer and fall months.

Although the fire danger has diminished, we still ask that everyone on reservation land be cautious with fire this time of year.

If you have any further questions, please contact Southern Ute Agency Fire Management at (970) 563-4571.

The Stage I & Stage II Fire Restrictions will be rescinded at 06:00 AM, July 29, 2020.

 

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News Release – SUA Stage I 2 Fire Restrictions Rescinded 7-29-20

Please read the information below for tribal members who reside off-reservation.

 

 

20200724 – Off-Reservation TM Resources FINAL

August Voluntary Drive-thru Viral Testing

August 12-13, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Sky Ute Casino Resort Overflow Parking Lot

 

The Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s most important resource is the enrolled Southern Ute tribal members and without its members the Tribe would not exist. On Wednesday, March 25, 2020 the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council in collaboration with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Incident Management Team issued the “Stay at Home” Order and on Friday, July 17, 2020 required the use of face coverings to  prioritize the health and safety of the Tribal Elders, high-risk and immune-compromised members, youth and the entire tribal membership.

 

At the beginning of the pandemic, the IMT purchased and collected personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits, and funding to adequately respond to the coronavirus outbreak. The IMT has developed an agreement with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and International Medical Relief to mobilize a team of qualified health professionals with resources, testing kits, and PPE to conduct free, voluntary drive-thru viral testing for enrolled Southern Ute tribal members and immediate family members, tribal caregivers, tribal staff, enrolled members of the Ute Mountain Ute and Ute Indian Tribes, and local community.

 

A viral test will be conducted to determine individuals who are currently infected with the coronavirus. This is very different from the anti-body testing which will not be conducted at this time. As the number of positive cases increase in the neighboring jurisdictions, the viral test will help determine how wide-spread the virus is, identify hot-spots within our community, and aid in the tribal priority of keeping our tribal members safe.  Approximately 2,000 tests will be conducted over a 2-day period. Tests are not mandatory, but voluntary for those who wish to have a test performed. Tribal Members and immediate household members (including non-enrolled tribal members) and enrolled members of both the Ute Mountain Ute and Ute Indian Tribe can elect to have the test performed on either day.

 

Drive-thru testing will be performed over two days, beginning on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. at the Sky Ute Casino Resort overflow parking lot (between the Sky Ute Casino Resort and the TERO building). Tribal Elders and those who identify as high-risk are given priority from 8:00 until 9:00 a.m. on both days. Please see the attached map detailing the testing process, identifying the entrance, testing tents where swabs will be conducted, and exit.

 

In accordance with the tribal public health order requiring the use of face coverings, face masks will be required at the testing site.

 

The first drive-thru testing event held in June provided valuable lessons which have been considered and implemented for this and future testing events. The testing schedule modeled after the Spring and Fall Cleanup was determined unnecessary, therefore it will not be used for this event. The upcoming testing event will prioritize the tribal membership; testing will be available to the tribal membership and their immediate family members, enrolled members of both the Ute Mountain Ute and Ute Indian Tribe as well as tribal caregivers on both days, August 12-13, 2020.

 

Testing for tribal staff will be on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. and testing will be open to the local community on Thursday, August 13, 2020 from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. If you are unable to be tested on the dates identified, please contact the Southern Ute Health Center at 970.563.4581 to determine another day or to arrange a home visit with SUHC staff.

 

Staff will complete the mandatory Testing and Demographics Release form. Individuals will be required to share the required information for the form. Parents and Guardians will be required to provide information required for the Testing and Demographics Release form for any child(ren) to be tested. Tribal Information Services will be confirming enrollment.

 

Tribal Elders and tribal members who are immobilized or unable to drive to the drive-thru testing location may contact the Southern Ute Health Center at 970.563.4581 to arrange for transportation.

 

The result of your COVID-19 test will be communicated to you by phone or email. The time that your result will be available may vary; we do ask for your patience during this busy time. Many laboratories that process COVID-19 tests are overwhelmed leading to some delays in processing. A Southern Ute Health Center staff member will call or email your result. All positive results will be contacted by telephone.  We do ask for your cooperation with assisting us with our contact tracing responsibilities of a positive result.

 

We would like to reiterate that the viral tests are voluntary and available to enrolled Southern Ute tribal members and their immediate family members (including those who are not enrolled), enrolled members of the Ute Mountain Ute and Ute Indian Tribe, tribal caregivers, on both days and tribal staff and community on identified day and times. If you have questions, please contact the Southern Ute Indian Tribe COVID-19 Call Center at 970.563.0214. The Call Center hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M.

 

If you are sick, please self-isolate. If your symptoms begin to worsen, please call your primary healthcare provider or the Southern Ute Health Center at 970.563.4581. Do not arrive at your primary health care provider’s office without calling to notify the professionals of your symptoms.

 

Please continue to practice good hygiene by washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, cough and sneeze into the bend of your elbow or in a tissue then throw the tissue away. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects in your home. As a reminder, the Tribal “Stay at Home” Order remains in effect until further notice. Please stay home only leaving for essential activities. When you must leave your home, continue to practice social distancing staying 6 feet away from others. Stay connected with your loved ones and our tribal elders.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Chairman, Christine Sage – 970.563.0100

SUIT IMT PIO, Ms. Amy Barry – 970.563.2281

 

Southern Ute Public Health Order requires the use of face coverings

 

Southern Ute Indian Reservation –

PUBLIC HEAL TH ORDER

OF THE SOUTHERN UTE INDIAN TRIBE

WHEREAS, authority is vested in the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council by the Constitution adopted by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and approved November 4, 1936, and amended October 1, 1975, and August 27, 1991, to act for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe; and

 

WHEREAS, under Article VII, Section 1 of the Constitution, “The inherent powers of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, including those set forth in [the Indian Reorganization Act], as amended, shall be exercised by the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council, subject only to limitations imposed by the Constitution and Statutes of the United States, by the regulations of the Department of the Interior and by this constitution.”; and

 

WHEREAS, under Article VII, Section 1 ( e) of the Constitution, “The [T]ribal [C]ouncil may enact ordinances and codes to protect the peace, safety, property, health and general welfare of the members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe”; and

 

WHEREAS, under Article VII, Section l(n) of the Constitution, Tribal Council has the authority, “To protect and preserve the property, wildlife and natural resources of the [T]ribe, and to regulate the conduct of trade and the use and disposition of tribal property upon the reservation.”; and

 

WHEREAS, in Res. No. 2004-225, the Tribe approved the Southern Ute Community Emergency Operations Plan (“Plan”), the purpose of which is to identify the emergency management process and principles for managing and coordinating the overall response and recovery activities during periods of emergency/disaster resulting from a natural-or human-caused hazard; and

 

WHEREAS, Section IV (B) of the Plan identifies Emergency Management operational phases, including the Response Phase, which may include incident mitigation activities designed to limit the loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and unfavorable outcomes; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, Section IV(B)(3), response activities may include ongoing public health and testing processes, immunizations, isolation or quarantine; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, Section V(F), the Tribal Council’s duties in an emergency or disaster include, among other things, signing a resolution declaring an emergency or disaster to protect life and preserve property and the environment by ensuring prevention, preparation, and response measures are in place; and

 

WHEREAS, under the Plan, Section V (F), the Tribal Council’s duties in an emergency or disaster include making emergency decisions regarding quarantines; and

 

WHEREAS, in Res. No. 2020-025, Tribal Council declared a state of emergency to respond to the spread of the coronavirus, which included, among other things, the state of emergency continuing “until the conclusion of response activities including attendant documentation is complete”; and

 

WHEREAS, in Res. No. 2020-031, Tribal Council approved the Southern Ute Health Center Communicable Disease Response Plan, which allows for, among other things, infection control precautions, including contact, droplet, and airborne precautions; and

 

WHEREAS, cases of coronavirus continue to rise in Colorado and neighboring states; and

 

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) recommends face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain and to prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others; and

 

WHEREAS, based on the danger that the coronavirus continues to pose and the identified cases of the coronavirus in surrounding counties, the Tribal Council finds it in the interests of public health and safety, to require face coverings indoors at all times and outdoors when other social distancing measures are not possible.

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

 

1. The Tribal Council hereby finds it essential that the COVID-19 virus be slowed to protect the tribal membership, the community, tribal employees, and especially our most vulnerable people, including heath care providers.

 

2. The Tribal Council hereby ORDERS:

 

1. All individuals over two years old must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when entering or moving within any public indoor space.

 

1. All individuals over two years old must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth in outdoor public spaces when other social distancing measures are not possible.

 

1. Face covering means a covering made of cloth, fabric, or other soft or permeable material, without holes, that covers only the nose and mouth and surrounding areas of the lower face, and that fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face and remains in place without the use of one’s hands. Face coverings include, but are not limited to, bandanas, medical masks, cloth masks, buffs, and gaiters. Face coverings do not include any mask that incorporates a one-way valve (typically a raised plastic cylinder about the size of a quarter on the front or side of the mask) that is designed to facilitate easy exhaling, and such masks are not to be used to comply with this Order. Valves of that type without filters permit droplet release from the mask and can put others nearby at risk.

 

1. Public indoor space means any enclosed indoor area that is public or privately owned, managed, or operated to which individuals have access by right or by invitation, expressed or implied, and that is accessible to the public, serves as a place of employment, or is an entity providing services. Public indoor space does not mean a person’s residence, including a room in a motel or hotel.

 

1. Outdoor public space means any outdoor area that is public or privately owned, managed, or operated to which individuals have access by right or by invitation, expressed or implied, and that is accessible to the public.\

 

1. No owner, operator, or manager of a public indoor space may provide services to individuals or allow an individual to enter or move within that public indoor space, unless the individual is wearing a face covering as required by this Public Health Order.

 

1. Owners, operators, or managers of public indoor spaces must post signs at entrance(s) instructing individuals of their legal obligation under this Order to wear a face covering when entering or moving within a public indoor space.

 

1. Individuals two years old and younger are exempt from the requirements of this Order.

 

1. Individuals performing the following activities are exempt from the requirements of this Order while the activity is being performed:

1. Individuals who are hearing impaired or otherwise disabled or who are communicating with someone who is hearing impaired or otherwise disabled and where the ability to see the mouth is essential to communication;

 

1. Individuals who are seated at a food service establishment;

 

• Individuals who are exercising alone or with others from the individual’s household and a face covering would interfere with the activity;

 

1. Individuals who are receiving a personal service where the temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service;

 

1. Individuals who enter a business or receive services and are asked to temporarily remove a face covering for identification purposes;

 

1. Individuals who are actively engaged in a public safety role such as a law enforcement, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel;

 

• Individuals who are officiating at a religious services, or

 

• Individuals who are giving such a broadcast or an audience.

 

1. The Stay at Home Order issued on March 25, 2020 remains in full force and effect as originally promulgated.

 

3. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Order shall become effective at 11:59 p.m. on July 71, 2020 and will continue until it is no longer necessary as deemed by the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council.

 

{signed by Vice Chairman, Cheryl A. Frost, July 17, 2020}

 

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20200717 – SUIT Face Mask Order