November marks Native American Heritage Month, in that spirit, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe proudly partnered with the Denver Nuggets for the Native American Heritage Game, Saturday, Nov. 22 at Ball Arena in Denver. Pictured are Riley Lang, Southern Ute Heritage Dancers and members of the Southern Ute Royalty.

In 1986, the Tribe settled its water rights with the State of Colorado, which Congress then affirmed in the 1988 Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act and the 2000 Settlement Act Amendments. The Settlement Act and the 2000 Amendments authorized the construction of the Animas-La Plata (ALP) Project, which included the construction of Ridges Basin Dam, creating Lake Nighthorse. Growth Fund Department of Energy – Energy Manager, Andy Wetherell and Land Manager, Adrian Abeyta make a site visit to the Animas River, Monday, May 19, to view where water will be pulled for use on the Reservation, in a historic first use of the Tribe’s Animas-La Plata Project water rights. The Tribe plans to continue developing its water resources for the benefit of the Tribe and its members in the future.

NPR v. Trump case moves forward after judge hears arguments. Pictured left to right, Tami Graham, Stewart Vanderwilt, Steve Zansberg, Breeze Richardson, and Mike May walk into the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Court House in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Dec. 4. Graham, Vanderwilt, and Richardson lead three Colorado public radio stations suing the Trump administration alongside NPR over an executive order issued in May.

The Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum (SUCCM) is dedicated to ensuring the upmost care and cultural sensitivity when handling objects and artifacts, with a team comprised of mostly Southern Ute tribal members and other members of tribal nations handling cultural items with care is second nature. Rhonda Price uses specialized tools to carefully clean a cradleboard that was on display during the “Ute Cradleboards & Baskets: Carriers of Life” exhibit, following the cleaning she assists in placing the cradleboard in a custom-made box, designed to help with the item’s longevity.

A step toward cultural revitalization. Exciting changes came to Tribal Campus last year as Ute language signs were installed, bringing a renewed sense of culture, tradition, and belonging to the campus. This meaningful project was initiated by Dr. Stacey Oberly during her time on Tribal Council, reflecting her deep commitment to language preservation and cultural revitalization. “It’s a powerful act of linguistic sovereignty to post our beautiful Ute language in all our Tribal buildings. It honors all our past and current Ute speakers who so graciously shared their Ute knowledge with us to ensure it continues into perpetuity. Special thanks go to Council Member Marjorie Barry for following through on this important initiative,” said Dr. Stacey Oberly, Ute Language Program Manager.

The signs serve as daily reminders of the Ute language, encouraging its visibility and use in everyday life.

The Wildlife Division has also been working with EPD on plans for a stream restoration project on the southern portion of Salabar Draw for the coming year. According to Aran Johnson, Southern Ute Wildlife Resource Division Head, the project will essentially mimic the work that beavers do with small brush dams along the stream that will back up water to raise the wet zone of the stream and promote riparian plants like willow as well as other grasses and forbs to grow and secure the stream banks. Other structures will divert the energy of the stream flows away from eroding banks. Water Quality Scientist, Dylan Ruckel (pictured above) has spearheaded numerous stream restoration projects for the Tribe’s Environmental Programs Department, including those along Spring Creek. Ruckle stands on the southern portion of Salabar Draw, where previous restoration efforts have already taken hold, exemplifying a healthy watershed and habitat for wildlife, including endangered species that rely on the stream.

Native students get ‘Close Up’ in D.C. Leandra Litz, Samantha Elk, Zuriah Baker, and Sonny Flores work together to design an introductory poster for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and its tribal government to share with other visiting students and faculty on the Close-Up Native Youth Summit trip in Washington, D.C.

During Colorado Senator Michael Bennet’s visit to the spill site, Environmental Programs Director, Mark Hutson (right) details how the gasoline plume is affecting groundwater above the Animas River, Friday, Oct. 17. Hutson works closely with the Growth Fund Department of Energy (DOE) and outside consultants to review reports, respond to technical requests, and track ongoing cleanup Activities. While the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is the lead regulatory authority for the spill, EPD remains at the center of coordination and continues to push for transparent and timely remediation actions. Updated estimates underscore the seriousness of the incident, which is now estimated to be the largest refined gasoline pipeline spill in Colorado since CDPHE began tracking such releases in 2016.

GF Properties Group is moving quickly to complete the Buckskin Charlie housing project. The project consists of two apartment buildings with 60 units (30 units in each building). There will be a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments with ADA units on the ground floor. The current design includes an amenity building that will serve the residents of the apartments and is proposed to potentially have a leasing office, fitness area, gathering space, and an adjacent outdoor plaza with grills and a fire pit. Phase 2 of the Buckskin Charlie housing project began in the spring of 2025 and will take roughly a year to complete with FCI Constructors, Inc.

This year, the Southern Ute Growth Fund proudly marks its 25th anniversary – a milestone built on vision, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the Tribe’s long-term prosperity. From its modest beginnings managing natural resources to becoming a cornerstone of economic strength, the Growth Fund has demonstrated disciplined planning and a commitment to stewardship that benefits generations. “The Growth Fund’s 25 years are a testament to the Tribe’s vision and the discipline to invest for the long term,” said Shane Seibel, Executive Director for the Southern Ute Growth Fund. “Our focus remains clear – sustainable growth that benefits our people today and for generations ahead.”

Andy Young views photos of the Red Willow Production Company from previous years; photo boards were on display during the 25 Year Anniversary on Thursday, Oct. 23 for attendees to reminisce about.

Ink lovers, artists, and enthusiasts gathered at the Sky Ute Casino Resort this past weekend on Friday, Aug. 29 through Sunday, Aug. 31 for the inaugural Four Corners Tattoo Convention. This event featured live tattooing, vendor booths, art prints, piercings, and daily tattoo contests, and more, offering various activities for tattoo connoisseurs to curious first timers. Top tattoo artists from across the nation gathered for the region’s premier event celebrating body art, culture, and creativity. Artists of Obsidian Tattoo Studio stand before their banner at their booth, (Left to Right) Tim Essary, Southern Ute tribal member Sergio Cloud, and Victoria Martin.

The Sky Ute Casino Resort hosted a Tattoo Convention, a first for the casino, hosting a number of tattoo artists from across the Four Corners and from the country Alyssa Atencio gets stenciled and prepared for a new tattoo, done by artist Mysti Morse. Morse is an artist at Headhunter Tattoo in Durango, Colo.

At the toe of the Sleeping Ute Mountain lies Towaoc, Colo., home to the Ute Mountain Ute people, where Manuel Heart served on Tribal Council for 27 years both as a council member and as Chairman. On Friday, Nov. 7 at the Ute Mountain Casino, new members of council were sworn in and began their terms of service, during the ceremony former Chairman Heart handed over the keys to new elect Chairman Selwyn Whiteskunk marking the start of a new era for both leaders. During the ceremony, visiting tribal nations, sister tribes, government officials, and community guests all paid their respects to Heart with prepared gifts, songs, and speeches. November 7 will now remain, “Chairman Manuel Heart Day” as proclaimed by Governor of Colorado Jared Polis, as for Manuel Heart he will now turn his focus to rest and spend more time with his beloved family.

EPD dedicates River Trail. Southern Ute Executive Officer, Lindsay Box helps plant trees and shrubs as part of the Grand Re-Opening of the River Trail, which encouraged participation from tribal departments and the community.

Southern Ute tribal member, Nathan Strong Elk prepares a Native shrub for planting along the River Trail; Strong Elk also provided a traditional blessing ahead of the morning program.

Southern Ute Indian Tribe, joined by Chairman Manuel Heart of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, delivered a powerful address before a joint session of the Colorado General Assembly, Thursday, Jan. 16. Chairman Baker’s address marked the third annual address to state legislators since the passage of Senate Bill 22-105, a significant step towards strengthening the relationship between the Colorado Ute tribes and the State of Colorado. Chairman Baker’s address highlighted the rich history of the Nuuchiu, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and respecting the Tribes’ sovereign rights as outlined in federal treaties.

The Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center hosted “Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces.” The Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibit is in collaboration with the National Museum of the American Indian honoring Native American Veterans. The Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center welcomed the color guard from Southern Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, Jicarilla Apache and Navajo Nations to bring in the flags during the opening ceremony for the new exhibit. The traveling exhibit “Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces” highlights 250 years of Native American military participation throughout history. From the American Revolution, the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Vietnam, Desert Storm through present day, the exhibit recognizes service men and women and individual accounts of their involvement in the armed forces.

Raymond Baker (Navy Retired) stands next to his deep-sea diving helmet and boots that he wore. Baker loaned these items to the Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center exhibit.