After fifteen years of dispute, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and La Plata County commissioners have come to an agreement that will end a long-lasting issue. The Global Grant of Right-of-Way Agreement will give the county and drivers the right to travel through tribal lands that have been identified as county roads.

The county will be able to regulate traffic, speed limits, and overweight vehicles across 75 miles of tribal land. The historical signing took place at the Sky Ute Casino Resort on Wednesday, April 9 with Interim Chairman James M. Olguin commenting on the successes moving forward. Council members Howard D. Richards Sr., Alex S. Cloud, Aaron V. Torres, and Melvin J. Baker represented the tribe during the signing.

John Waconda, Bureau of Indian Affairs Southern Ute Agency superintendent, signed the agreement on behalf of the Southern Ute Tribe along with Chairperson of La Plata Board of County Commissions, Julie Westendorff.