DENVER — Today, Governor Polis and Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, Chair of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, hosted the annual Ute Day at the Capitol, a day to honor the two Tribes with jurisdiction in Colorado, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and their sister Tribe, the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray. It featured a community celebration, formal addresses to the Colorado General Assembly as outlined in Senate Bill 22-105, and meetings with Tribal leadership.
“The State of Colorado was proud to host the annual Ute Day at the Capitol. This day is a celebration of the important government-to-government relationship Colorado shares with the Ute Mountain Ute and the Southern Ute Indian Tribes and our commitment to address our greatest challenges together. I look forward to our continued partnership and creating an even better Colorado for all,” said Governor Jared Polis.
“It is an honor to serve as the Chair of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs and to work on a government-to-government basis to strengthen our partnership with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe. During Ute Day at the Capitol, we celebrate the steadfast culture, community, and knowledge the Ute people have cultivated here in Colorado since time immemorial,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. “We respect and honor the work these two sovereign governments are leading and look forward to more opportunities to join together to build a stronger, more inclusive Colorado.”
“Ute Day at the Capitol serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of the Nuuchiu as the oldest continuous inhabitants. This day is not just a celebration, it is a call to action. It is a time for Tribal and State leadership to recognize the ongoing concerns of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe regarding its sovereignty, resources, and right to self-determination. By working together, we can ensure a brighter future that respects the rich heritage and contributions of the Ute people.” said Southern Ute Tribal Chairman Melvin J. Baker.
“We as the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe look forward to Ute Day at the Colorado Capitol every year,” said Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Chairman Manuel Heart. “We appreciate and honor our long-lasting relationship we have with the Governor and Lt. Governor of Colorado as well as the Colorado Legislators. We have worked together to make Colorado the great state that we’ve all come to know, while also sharing our Ute Culture. We Look forward to continuing to work together to make great things happen for our state.”
This week Governor Polis appointed the first tribal member to Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs.
The Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs serves as the official liaison between the State of Colorado, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. The relationship between the State of Colorado and sovereign Tribal governments is founded on a strong government-to-government relationship. The Commission, chaired by Lt. Governor Primavera, ensures direct contact and meaningful engagement with the Tribes and American Indian/Alaska Native communities statewide. The Commission is committed to facilitating communication between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, the other 46 Historic Tribes of Colorado, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities statewide, state agencies, and affiliated groups with the goal of positively impacting the lives of American Indian and Alaska Native communities statewide.
The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe are the Weenuche band of the Ute Nation of Indians. Based in Towaoc, the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation is a Sovereign Nation home to approximately 2,000 residents.The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is composed of two bands, the Mouache and Caputa. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe has approximately 1,400 tribal members, and is based in Ignacio.
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