Southern Ute Chairman Melvin Baker attended a bill signing ceremony at the Denver Indian Center on Monday, June 28. Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed three bills into law: HB21-1289 Funding for Broadband Development, SB21-116 Prohibit American Indian Mascots, and SB21-029 Colorado American Indian Tribes In-State Tuition all of which positively impact the Tribe.

Bill SB21-116 prohibits the use of American Indian Mascots in Colorado Schools. Schools that belong to the two Ute tribes are exempt from this, however schools that wish to keep their mascot are required to consult with tribal nations. Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Manuel Heart and Southern Ute Chairman Melvin Baker both attended the bill singing in Denver, Colo.