Category: Culture

Save the Date: Meet the Candidates Night 10/17/2024

Save the Date: Meet the Candidates Night

Two (2) Tribal Council Seats

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 the Sky Ute Casino Resort Event Center.
  • Live audio broadcast on KSUT radio.
  • Virtual attendance via WebEx (registration details forthcoming)

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

– Summer Begay, Communication Specialist

For Immediate Release: Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Joins Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Legal Action to Receive Fair Treatment by State 09302024

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320
Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2024
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Joins Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Legal Action to Receive Fair Treatment by State
Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Facing the same stonewalling tactics preventing equal access to economic opportunities voted into law by Colorado voters in 2019, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe has joined the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in their legal action to receive fair treatment by the State of Colorado.
“The State must live up to its obligations to our Tribes as outlined in agreements and federal law. Because of this ongoing injustice, we are also now taking the unfortunate but necessary step of legal action to correct this,” Chairman Manuel Heart of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe said. “The State is wrong to lock our Tribes out of these economic opportunities, and they must be held accountable for their actions to hold back our Tribes.”
“Enough is enough. This unfair treatment must end now. Our Tribes are demanding immediate action to rectify this injustice and ensure the State fulfills its obligations.” said Chairman Melvin J. Baker of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
The Southern Ute Indian and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes have been unfairly blocked by the Colorado Department of Revenue from engaging in online sports betting, despite longstanding State-Tribal Compacts explicitly allowing them to do so. After years of attempts to negotiate a fair agreement, the Tribes are both asking the federal court for an injunction so they may compete in an economic market that, effectively, only non-Indian private entities have had primary access to in Colorado since 2020.
In the Gaming Compacts, which have been in place for almost 30 years and approved by the federal government, the State agreed that the Tribes can engage in “those gaming activities and bet amounts that are identical to the activities and bet amounts that are authorized in the State of Colorado.”
In 2019, Colorado voters approved Proposition DD, legalizing online sports betting in the state, thus permitting the Tribes to engage in the same activities. However, for the past four years, the Tribes have been stonewalled by the State, unfairly prevented from accessing these economic opportunities.
The reason for banning the Tribes from equal access to this market: the State is not allowed to tax the Tribes, and they want to. Federal law does not allow the taxation of tribal gaming activities and mandates that any revenue must be used for Tribal governmental operations and the general welfare of Tribal Members.
This year, Colorado state legislators had capacity to refer a measure to the 2024 ballot that will amend the 2019 law to increase taxes on sports betting, and yet have not fixed the issues that unfairly exclude the Tribes from this economic opportunity. After implementing sports betting in 2022, the State of Kansas quickly amended their law last year to allow tribal gaming entities to participate in online sports betting, recognizing the unfair competitive disadvantage initially created.
While other states have amicably resolved similar issues, the State of Colorado and gaming industry lobbyists have unfairly blocked the Tribes’ efforts to fix this oversight. With unwavering commitment to fairness and a steadfast resolve to hold the State to its word, we can ensure a future where the promises of today blossom into a brighter tomorrow.
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For Immediate Release: Incident on Highway 151 09172024

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 17, 2024

Incident on Highway 151

Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is aware of a plane crash landing that occurred this afternoon at approximately 12:45 PM on an assignment just off of Highway 151. Southern Ute Police and Tribal Rangers in addition to other first responders are active on the scene. The plane had two passengers, one transported for medical assistance. No further details are available. Additional information will be provided.

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Southern Ute Construction Project Management Plans Demolition of the Ute Vocational School/Headstart Building

Please see the attached notification regarding the upcoming Ute Vocational School/HeadStart Building Demolition Project. Should you have any questions regarding this project or ongoing work, please free to call the Southern Ute Tribal Construction and Project Managment Office at (970)-563-4710.

Additional information regarding this project is also listed on our website at: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/tribal-housing/construction-and-project-management/ute-vocational-school-head-start-building-demolition/

The Southern Ute Election Board Announces Candidates for the 2024 Southern Ute General Election

The Southern Ute Election Board would like to announce the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s 2024 General Election for Two (2) Tribal Council Seats
OUT GOING COUNCIL MEMBERS: Lorelei Cloud, Vanessa Torres
The Election Board has determined the dates for the upcoming 2024 General Election according to the Constitution and Election Code.
General Election- Friday, November 01, 2024, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Voter Registration Deadline – Wednesday, October 23, 2024, by 5:00 PM
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline- Wednesday, October 23, 2024, by 5:00 PM
Emergency Ballot Request Deadline- Thursday, October 31, 2024, by 5:00 PM
The 2024 General Election will be held at 285 Lakin St. Ignacio, CO
Contact the Election Board at (970) 563-0100 ext. 2303/2305/2778/2729/2730
Off-Reservation Tribal Members call 1-800-772-1236 ext. 2303
or email election@southernute-nsn.gov

SUDEP: Fiber Broadband Community Event 09202024

Please join the Southern Ute Digital Equity Program, XMission, and FTI for a Fiber Broadband Community Event on Friday, September 20, 2024 at the Ignacio Community Library from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

All community members are invited to attend to have questions answered, sign up for fast and affordable internet! Attendees are welcome at any time during the event.

For more information, contact SUDEP at 970-563-5555.

National Day of Service and Remembrance 09112024

Today, we stand in remembrance of a day that forever changed our nation. Twenty-three years ago, the Twin Towers fell, a symbol of strength shattered by unspeakable violence. In the wake of this tragedy, our country witnessed acts of courage and compassion that define the very best of the American spirit.

We honor the Native Americans whose ancestral lands were the site of this attack. Their resilience and enduring connection to the earth remind us of the importance of unity and understanding. We remember the brave men and women who answered the call to serve. From all walks of life, they stepped forward to defend our freedom and protect our way of life. Their sacrifice and unwavering patriotism will forever be etched in our hearts.

Let us also remember the first responders, the firefighters, the police officers, the medical professionals, and citizens who rushed into the danger, risking their own lives to save others. Their selfless heroism is a testament to the indomitable spirit of humanity.