Southern Ute Chairman: Matters addressed over the last 30 days

Actions to benefit Tribal members

On Sept. 2, we received approval from the BIA of the amended Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance. In the coming weeks we will determine its effective date by Resolution.
On Sept. 1 and on Sept. 29, Tribal Council approved two home loans for Tribal members
Also on Sept. 29, Tribal Council approved a grant to provide tribal member assistance to make downpayments on homes.
On Sept. 15 and 29, Tribal Council approved three Tribal member appointments to Tribal Boards, two to the Wildlife Advisory Board and one to the Southern Ute Economic Development Committee

Protection of Environmental and Cultural Resources

On Sept. 4, Tribal Council issued a press release opposing the efforts to reduce both Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
On Sept. 8, Tribal Council filed a formal comment letter with the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) and the US Forest Service, opposing the federal government’s efforts to eliminate the “Roadless Rule”. If that rule is eliminated, logging activity would be allowed in areas of cultural importance to Tribes, including Southern Ute.
On Sept. 11, Tribal Council filed an official comment letter opposing the leasing of public lands by BLM and the US Forest Service within the Reservation. On October 1, the Chairman met with Sen. Hickenlooper, encouraging him to oppose that leasing activity.
On Sept. 29, Tribal Council opposed efforts by the federal government to reduce protection for waters within the Reservation under the Clean Water Act.
The Tribe has been monitoring and evaluating the remediation of the Enterprise oil spill that occurred within the Reservation boundaries. That spill is significantly larger and spreading more rapidly than represented by Enterprise and we intend to hold them accountable. On Oct. 6, Tribal Council met with Governor Polis to ensure that Colorado worked cooperatively with the Tribe in responding to the Enterprise gasoline spill on the Reservation for the protection of the health of tribal members and the environment.

Protection of the Health of Tribal Members

On Sept. 15, Tribal Council approved an agreement at no cost to the Tribe to obtain assistance in the design, implementation and long-term sustainability of the Tribe’s Recovery Housing project, the construction of which was recently commenced.

Financial and Investment Matters

On Sept. 8, Tribal Council approved the FY 2027 budget for the Permanent Fund, and on Sept. 22 approved the FY 2027 budgets for the Sky Ute Casino Resort and Shared Services.
On Sept. 22, Tribal Council authorized the Growth Fund to move forward with a major commercial development for the Tribe in California.
On Sept. 24, The Growth Fund and the Bureau of Land Management held the first public meeting regarding the future development of tribal trust oil and gas resources within a 110,00-acre planning area located within the Southern Indian Reservation.

Meetings with Governmental Officials

Over the past month the Chairman has had calls with Sen. Bennet, Rep. Hurd and Attorney General Weiser, discussing the importance of collaborating on key projects in which we have a mutual interest going forward.
On Sept. 12, the Tribal Council met with Rep. Jeff Hurd of Colorado, Rep. Brian Babin of Texas, and Rep. Celeste Maloy of Utah, where Tribal Council had the opportunity to discuss the Tribe’s history, culture and business interests.