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Ross Herrera, owner of Shredz SkateShop tells the skaters the rules and how the skate competition will be conducted.
Organizer Kristean Velasquez awards skaters after the skate competition. The skaters displayed their best tricks and skating abilities.
Southern Ute Elder Committee Chairman, Byron Frost and son, Brian Frost donated safety gear to the skaters and spoke of the first vertical quarter-pipe Brian and his skater bros built years ago, just south of the Silva softball fields.
San Juan College Miss Indigenous welcomed those in attendance to the Kids Next Door community event.
Winter Rose Garcia eyes her next move at the skatepark, traversing the various ramps and bowls during her run in the skatepark competition. Garcia placed second in her age group.
Kids Next Door Organizer Kristean Velasquez welcomed everyone to the community event.
Atticus Harlan makes a move towards the goal against Levi Lopez, in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament, pitting teams against each other in the afternoon event.
Jacoby Scott makes a move towards the goal as Keyon Alston, looks to block his shot during the 3-on-3 basketball action. The non-traditional tourney awarded winners with cash prizes depending the teams outcome of each game in their round.
Kids Next Door Organizer Kristean Velasquez instructs the basketball players how the tournament will be run and how the prizes will be awarded.
Little Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Kilani Graham skates after her welcome at the skate park.
Ute Mountain Ute Elder, Thailia Badback accompanied by Mr. Billsie, said a prayer to begin the Kids Next Door community event at the Píinu Núuchi Skatepark. She was given the first skateboard of the day.
Little Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Kilani Graham and Miss Southern Ute, Autumn Sage, welcomed those in attendance to the community event,
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: courtesy Kristean Velasquez
Photo Credit: courtesy Kristean Velasquez
Photo Credit: courtesy Kristean Velasquez
Photo Credit: courtesy Kristean Velasquez
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
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Skaters, Baller take to Píinu Núuchi Skate Park

Friday - August 21, 2026 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

The Kids Next Door community event was held to give tools to the youth to deal with life challenges – giving over 50+ skateboards to the youth. Cody Dutton brought his skateboarding community (505 Shredz and Enchantment Skateshop) to Southern Ute Reservation to show the youth how skating together is an essential component of skate culture, to fall and keep pushing. Kristean Velasquez, a Southern Ute advocate, would like to acknowledge the community for coming together for the youth. “May we come together more in hopes of healing our community. As adults, we need to take care of ourselves and each other. Let’s see each other as relatives.”

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