Leading Grand Entry, the color guard, composed of veterans carrying the colors into the Ute Mountain Casino Powwow arbor during the Saturday evening Grand Entry, Aug. 2 in Towaoc, Colo. Left to right are Owen House, Jeffery Whiteskunk, Bruce Valdez, Rudley Weaver, Gordon Hammond and Willard Light.

Handgamers show the bone as teams – Angie Lucero and White Willows went head to head in the annual Ute Mountain Casino Powwow Handgame tournament. 17 teams competed on Saturday, Aug. 2 in the Ute Mountain Casino's outdoor arbor.

Rudley Weaver (far right) and other gourd dancers during an honoring prior to the Saturday evening Grand Entry of the Ute Mountain Casino Powwow.

Willard Light was honored earlier in the afternoon for his dedicated years of services as security officer for the Ute Mountain Casino.

Willard Light (left) stands with Rudley Weaver and Gordon Hammond prior to entering the powwow arbor at the Ute Mountain Casino Powwow.

Royalty gather prior to Saturday evening's Grand Entry at the Ute Mountain Casino Powwow.

Carrying the eagle staff, Matthew Sheka, leads the color guard and royalty ahead of the dancers into the powwow arbor to begin Saturday’s Ute Mountain Casino Grand Entry.

Rusty Cozad gave the invocation prior to Saturday evening’s Grand Entry during the Ute Mountain Casino Powwow.

Royalty at Saturday evening’s Grand Entry at the annual Ute Mountain Casino Powwow. Royalty was led by newly crowned, Miss Indian Colorado, Aliyah Jacket, Miss Ute Mountain Pachun Collins, Little Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Olyvia Watts and Southern Ute Veterans Princess, Jazlynn Jacket.

Miss Ute Mountain Pachun Collins welcomes all to the Ute Mountain Casino Powwow during the Saturday evening Grand Entry.

Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

Dancers dust it up at Ute Mountain Ute Casino Powwow

Friday - August 8, 2025 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum