Colorado Lt. Governor, Donna Lynne today announced the resignation of Ernest House, Jr., the Executive Director of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs (CCIA). The CCIA is part of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. Its executive director serves as the official liaison between the Southern Ute Indian and Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribes and the State of Colorado.
“Ernest has played a tremendous role in ensuring our state government never lost focus on our tribal communities,” said Lieutenant Governor and Chief Operating Officer Donna Lynne. “Our tribes have an important seat at the table and a strong voice thanks to Ernest’s commitment and dedication.”
As Executive Director for the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs (CCIA), House maintains the communication between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe, and other American Indian organizations, state agencies and affiliated groups. The executive director represents the CCIA at various federal and state public policy meetings and provides legislative and government-related information to community stakeholders. House worked on a number of key initiatives including:
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)
- American Indian Economic Impact Report
- State/Tribal Consultations
- Sand Creek Massacre Recognition/Awareness
- Executive Order on American Indian Representations in Public Schools
- Governor’s Ute Tribal Summit
House previously held the position of CCIA executive director under Governor Bill Owens and Governor Bill Ritter from 2005-2010.
“It means a great deal to me as a member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe that I have been able to bring the voice of all tribes to Colorado’s highest office,” said House.
House will leave the administration at the end of September to become the senior policy director at the Keystone Policy Center. CCIA program staff will continue to carry out the commission’s work through the remainder of Governor John Hickenlooper’s and Lt. Governor Lynne’s terms in office.