Contact information:

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

P.O. Box 737

Ignacio, Colorado 81137

Linda Baker, Tribal Transition Representative: (970-563-2431) lbaker@southernute-nsn.gov

The Southern Ute Museum and Cultural Center (SUMACc) presents Mountain Lion!, an engaging, family exhibit. The exhibit was developed by the Center of Southwest Studies, in partnership and with support from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the San Juan Mountains Association, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Sorrell Sky Gallery, and Durango Nature Studies.

The exhibit was developed to address the pressing need for greater public awareness on the growing issue of human encounters with mountain lions. Over the last two decades, there has been a dramatic rise in cougar sightings and dangerous encounters on the urban fringes of numerous Western cities.  In a few rare cases, there have been fatalities.

The goal of the exhibit is to create an understanding of the nature of these predators and their long, historic relationship with people.  The exhibit blends science, history, and art to provide a comprehensive look at this mysterious predator.  The exhibit will feature dioramas, fossil representation of extinct mountain lion relatives, pop art, and the history of fierce cats like the North American Lion and the Smilodon, popularly known as saber-tooth tigers.

In addition to the re-opening of the museum, the name of the museum has been modified to Southern Ute Museum and Cultural Center (SUMACc). The new museum acronym, SUMACc, reflects Ute heritage by honoring a plant that Ute basket makers harvest annually. Sumac, along with willow, are raw materials gathered in the fall, winter, or early spring by Ute basket makers.

SUMACc will open Saturday, May 21, 2016.  Summer hours are Sunday-Saturday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and Thursday, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

The museum is located just south of the Sky Ute Casino and Resort in Ignacio, Colorado.