Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park

The tour of Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park was led by veteran park guide, and Ute Mountain Ute tribal member, Ernest House Jr., who shared his rich knowledge of the ancestral Puebloan sites.

The late Chief Jack House is depicted roping a calf from his horse, painted a deep red against the sandstone cliff.

Southern Ute tribal member, Cameron Weaver views the rock art in the Tribal Park.

Southern Ute Education Director, LaTitia Taylor takes in the view over Lion Canyon.

House leads the way into Lion canyon for a tour of the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.

The sun casts its warm rays across the Ancestral Puebloan structures, undeterred by time.

Southern Ute Montessori Academy Principle, Shawna Steffler explores one of the guard towers, built high into the cliff wall.

Tall ladders guard the entrance to “Eagles Nest” the primary cliff dwelling in the Tribal Park tour.

Ernest House Jr. pauses for a moment with his two sisters, Michelle House and Jaque Lopez.

Paintings of the Chief Jack House still adorn the sheltered rock ledges behind the original family homesite, the very same location where the late Chairman Ernest House Sr. was born.

Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum

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Fri Oct 12th, 2018 , by Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum

Representatives from the Southern Ute Education Department, Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs (CCIA) and the Colorado Dept. of Education explored the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park under the guidance of Ute Mountain Ute tribal member Ernest House Jr., Saturday, Sept. 29. The excursion was planned through CCIA as a way of saying thank you to all those who collaborated on the Nuu-ciu Strong resource guide for Colorado education. The tribal park is located within the Ute Mountain Ute reservation, neighboring Mesa Verde National Park.