This advertisement is for Southern Ute Indian Tribal members only!

Bids for leasing Southern Ute Indian Tribal Lands will be accepted at the Southern Ute Department of Natural Resources, Agriculture Division in Ignacio, Colorado until 4:30 PM on Friday, November 7, 2014. The Southern Ute Tribe reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Bids must be accompanied by a deposit of twenty percent (20%) of the first year rent (bid). Payment may be made by personal check, money order or letter of credit and should be made payable to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Deposits on rejected bids will be returned.

Agricultural leases will be entered into under the provisions of Title 25 CFR, Part 162 for a period of up to five (5) years unless otherwise agreed. Lessees will be obligated to follow a prescribed farm plan agreed to at the time of the lease. There are no “preference rights” for existing leases.

Agricultural Leases will be issued to coincide with the calendar year, beginning January 1^st and ending on December 31^st of the fifth year. Five (5) tracts are available for leasing as described on page three of this announcement. An on site visit to the properties can be arranged by contacting the Agriculture Division at 563-0220.

Subleasing of leased Southern Ute Tribal Lands by the lessee and other individuals will not be permitted unless the request is recommended by the Department of Natural Resources and approved, in writing by the Tribal Chairman and the Agency Superintendent.

Successful bidders will be allowed ten (10) working days after notification to file the completed lease application together with, (1) the remaining 80% of the first years rental, (2) *adequate bond in an amount of not less than one year’s rent plus assessable irrigation charges or the value of improvements to be made. If not submitted within the time allowed, the lease process may be discontinued and the deposit forfeited.

Hunting and/or Fishing is not authorized by the lease nor can the lessee authorize others to hunt or fish on the leased premises or on any other Indian land. The lease does not authorize the lessee to exclude properly authorized hunters or fishermen during legal Tribal hunting and fishing seasons.

Wildlife Damage: Under Title XIII, Article 1, Section 13-1-101(1) (e), the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, its officers, employees or individual Tribal members are not responsible for damages to persons or property caused by wildlife.

Oil and Gas: The Tribe reserves the right to conduct reasonable and necessary oil and gas exploration and development on the advertised lands pursuant to existing or future development agreements.

Irrigation Operation and Maintenance Charges (O & M Charges) are due and payable within ten days of receipt of billing in each lease year. Failure to pay will be grounds for cancellation of the lease. O & M charges are in addition to the annual lease amount.

Improvement Maintenance: All fences, irrigation ditches, buildings, corrals, etc shall be maintained by the lessee. Lessees are eligible to participate in the Tribal cooperative fence program.

Pest Control: Lesee is response for the control of noxious and invasive weeds and prairie dogs. Lessees are eligible to participate in the Tribal weed and prairie dog control programs

Bids are to be submitted on forms provided by the Tribe. Forms are available at the Agriculture Division/Custom Farms office at 655 CR 517. Call 563-0220. The minimum bid amount considered shall be $18.00 per acre for irrigated land and $6.00 per acre for dry land.

Address all bids to:

Agriculture Division Head

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

P. O. Box 737, MB-# 86

Ignacio, Colorado 81137

Clearly mark the outside of the envelope as “Bid on Southern Ute Tribal Land Lease to be opened at 10A.M. Monday, November 10, 2014 at the Agriculture Division office.

* The Southern Ute Indian Tribe will accept a bond in one of the following forms:

1. Cash; no interest will be paid on a cash bond. A cash bond is acceptable but not recommended.
2. Dedicated Certificate of Deposit (CD). Such CD must indicate on the face that Tribal approval is required prior to redemption by any party.
3. Irrevocable letter of credit issued by a federally insured financial institution authorized to do business in the United States, or, from the Southern Ute Tribal Credit Committee. Such letter of credit must:
   1. Contain a clause that grants the Southern Ute Tribe authority to demand immediate payment if the lessee violates the lease or fails to replace the letter of credit at least 30 days prior to its expiration date.
   2. Be payable to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
   3. Be irrevocable during its term and have an expiration date of not less than one year following the date of issuance.
   4. Be automatically renewable for a period of not less than one year, unless the issuing financial institution provides the Tribe with written notice that it will not be renewed, at least 90 calendar days before the letter of credit’s expiration date.
4. A surety bond issued by a company approved by the US Department of the Treasury.

 

INDIAN TRUST LANDS FOR AGRICULTURAL LEASE

Tract Number                              Legal Description/Lease Description

AGL-1   Hubbard	T33N, R7W Section 7: The north 10 acres of the NE1/4NE1/4This is known as the Hubbard PurchaseLess the 0.3-acre home site in the southeast corner of the property.Irrigated from the Goodnight Ditch as irrigated tract number 43.This tract is offered for crop production only. Livestock grazing is allowed for crop aftermath only.   Any other grazing will require approval by the Tribe.Actual irrigated acres are 9.7 acres, more or less. Total acres are 9.7 acres. Irrigation operation and maintenance charges are $145.50 for 2015.
AGL-2 Chavez	T32N R4W S24: E2NE4T32N R3W S19: NW4NW4This is known as the Chavez Purchase.(This is an Improvement Lease)60 acres irrigable. The irrigation is supplied by the Carr Ditch.   The irrigation system is in disrepair and will need an overhaul. The lease stipulates rebuilding the irrigation delivery system. The lease will also stipulate seeding the irrigated lands to re-establish desirable forages and annual fertilizer applications to improve forage health and productivity.Boundary fencing materials may be supplied by the Tribe under a cooperative fence agreement. Internal fences will only be constructed with the approval of SUIT DNR and the leesee will cover all cost as part of the land improvements.  Bid for this improvement lease should include a detailed five year plan for total improvement of this property for enhanced agricultural production.   The majority of improvements should be completed in the first two years of the lease.
AGL-3 Spring Creek	T33N 7W S11: E2 NE4 & T33N 7W S12: W2 NW4(off of CR 334)This property is 160 acres with 88.2 acres of irrigated. The irrigated supply is provided by the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project utilizing the Julian Lateral. This property has not been under management for several years and will require re-establishment of the perennial crop, construction of a new fence on the east side and irrigation ditch maintenance. This parcel may be bid as an improvement lease or a combination of improvements and cash payment. The lease will stipulate seeding the irrigated lands to re-establish desirable forages and annual fertilizer applications to improve forage health and productivity and weed management.Boundary fencing supplies may be provided by the Tribe under a Cooperative Fence Contract.Boundary fencing materials may be supplied by the Tribe under a cooperative fence agreement. Internal fences will only be constructed with the approval of SUIT DNR and the leesee will cover all cost as part of the land improvements.This property may be utilized for crop production. Livestock grazing may be allowed on crop aftermath. Sub-leasing will require approval by the Tribe. Lessee will be responsible for all irrigation operation and maintenance cost. Irrigation operation and maintenance cost for 2015 is $1,323.
AG:-4 Millich Purchase	T34N R7W S33: W2W2NE4This is 28 irrigated acres that is currently being produced as irrigated grass hay/pasture. The irrigation is supplied by the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project utilizing the Nannice Ditch.This property has been under management and has no improvement obligation. This parcel may be bid as a cash payment only.This property may be utilized for crop production and livestock grazing.Lessee will be responsible for all irrigation operation and maintenance cost. Irrigation operation and maintenance cost for 2015 is $420.
AGL-5 Watts Purchase	T32N R7W S10:S2 NE4 NW4 &S2 NW4 NE4 (This is an improvement lease.)This is 40 acres with approximately 23 acres irrigated. The property has not been under management for several years and the irrigation system is in disrepair. The irrigated field is bisected by a gravel road for well access.The lease will stipulate irrigation improvements, seeding the irrigated lands to re-establish desirable forages, annual fertilizer applications to improve forage health and productivity and weed control.Lessee is responsible for all irrigation operation and maintenance cost. Irrigation operation and maintenance cost for 2015 is $345.