Category: Culture

For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Welcomes New Justice and Regulatory Director 11042024

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320
Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 4, 2024

Southern Ute Indian Tribe Welcomes New Justice and Regulatory Director

Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Elliott Salazar as the temporary Justice and Regulatory Director. Salazar, a retired Special Agent with the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Salazar having worked closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other federal agencies, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this critical role.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Salazar to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe,” said Chairman Melvin J. Baker. “His extensive background in law enforcement, particularly within Indian Country, makes him uniquely qualified to lead our Justice and Regulatory Department.”

Vice Chairman Lorelei Cloud added, “Mr. Salazar’s vast law enforcement experience is warmly welcomed, along with his objective knowledge and willingness to build trust and foster positive relationships with our Tribal Members. He brings a fresh perspective to the Justice and Regulatory Department, and we look forward to his contributions.”

Salazar’s deep understanding of Tribal sovereignty as well as complex jurisdictional and legal issues will be invaluable as the Tribe navigates this period of transition.

The Tribe is confident that Mr. Salazar’s leadership will ensure the continued smooth operation of the Justice and Regulatory Department and its commitment to protecting the rights and interests of the Tribal Membership.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum

Southern Ute Indian Tribe Welcomes New Justice and Regulatory Director Press Release 11042024

2024 MTCN Recording

Tribal Members,
Thank you for attending the 2024 Meet the Candidates Night. If you were not able to attend or would like to watch the WebEx recording, it is now available on the Tribal Member Portal: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/tmx/
For more information, please contact Tribal Council Affairs at 970-563-2313. For technical assistance with your “so-ute” account, please contact SUDEP at 970-563-5555.
As a friendly reminder, the Tribal Election will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Election Board Office at 285 Lakin St., Ignacio, CO 81137.

Tribal Election Voter Registration Deadline

Today is the final day to register to vote in the upcoming Tribal election for two Tribal Council Member seats. To register you must be enrolled in the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and must be eighteen years of age or older.

  • You may register in person at the Election Board Office at 285 Lakin St. Ignacio, CO 81137. Off-Reservation Tribal Members may call 1-800-772-1236 x. 2303.
  • For more information, please contact the Election Board at 970-563-0100. x. 2303/2305/2778/2729/2730 or email election@southernute-nsn.gov.
The Tribal Election will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

 

Southern Ute Department of Energy partners with the Colorado Energy & Carbon Managment Commission to plug and reclaim orphaned well

Notice of Reclamation Activities

The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) is working with the Tribe’s Department of Energy (DOE) to plug and reclaim an orphaned well located on Tribal lands, southwest of Red Mesa Colorado (see attached map for details). The project will involve the use of heavy equipment and large trucks, along with a heavy-duty helicopter to transport equipment to the site. The project is slated to begin in late October or early November 2024, and will run approximately two to four weeks, weather permitting.

 For safety reasons, DOE is recommending this area be avoided during the proposed timeframe. This work could negatively impact hunting in the area. Please contact the DOE team for any questions and concerns – Doug Krueger at (970) 563-5565 or Andy Wetherell at (970) 563-5569.

 

 

Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum Announces Fall & Winter Hours

The Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum will have reduced hours of operation through the fall and winter season.
Galleries & Gift Shop
OPEN: Tuesday – Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm
CLOSED: Monday & Saturday
Museum Administration
OPEN: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm.
If you have any questions, please contact the Front Desk at 970-563-2980.
The Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum will have reduced hours of operation through the fall and winter season.

Southern Ute Permanent Fund Holds Live Training Exercise on Tribal Campus

Beginning today, October 8, 2024, the Southern Ute Justice and Regulatory Building will be closed to the public for live training exercises taking place through October 10, 2024. Normal business hours will resume on Friday, October 11, 2024.
TERO clients can access TERO programming and staff who will be temporarily located in the Leonard C. Burch Building from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. throughout the training exercise.
Environmental Programs staff have been approved to work remotely along with J and R administrative staff throughout the training exercise. All phones will be answered via WebEx and electronic messaging.
Tribal Rangers will be actively participating in the training exercise and phones have been forwarded accordingly for the remainder of this week.
All phone calls to staff in the J and R Building will continue to be routed accordingly with no interruption in services currently provided to the membership and external clients currently being served.
Thank you for your patience and understanding while staff are afforded the opportunity to continue to provide a safe work environment to those they serve.

2024 Meet the Candidates Night: Attendance Options

Meet the Candidates Night: Tribal Council Seats (2)

Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM Location: Sky Ute Casino Resort Event Center
Please note this event is for Southern Ute Tribal Members only.

Attendance Options:
– In-person attendance at Sky Ute Casino Resort in the Event Center.
– Live audio broadcast on KSUT Tribal Radio: The channels are 91.3 FM (Ignacio, CO), 100.9 FM (Towaoc, CO), or 89.7 FM (Farmington, NM).
– Virtual attendance via WebEx, please register with the following link: https://bit.ly/24mtcn

For additional information or questions, please contact Summer Begay at 970-563-2313 or sbegay@southernute-nsn.gov.

2024 Growth Fund General Meeting Recording Available

The Southern Ute Growth Fund invites the enrolled Tribal membership to view the 2024 Growth Fund General Meeting recording, now available on the Tribal Member Experience (TMX). If you have trouble accessing the TMX, please get in touch with the Help Desk at (970) 563.5050.
Upon viewing the meeting, if you have questions regarding the information presented,please get in touch with Jymmy Haddon, Executive Assistant, at (970) 563.5025.