Gov. Hickenlooper visits Southern Ute Indian Reservation to sign bill

Monday - June 2, 2014 by Sacha Smith | The Southern Ute Drum
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History is made as the Governor signs the HB14-1080 bill.
Gov. John Hickenlooper shakes hands with tribal elder, James Jefferson as guests line up in the Hall of Warriors to meet the Colorado governor.
Southern Ute Chairman, Clement J. Frost opens with an invocation welcoming Governor Hickenlooper to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
Gov. Hickenlooper is presented with a new bolo tie as a gift of thanks from tribal council.
Gov. Hickenlooper answers questions provided by the Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council. The topics included questions regarding the suicide rates with young Native Americans, and finding ways with improving the working relations with state representatives and Native American youth in the state of Colorado.
Gov. Hickenlooper poses with royalty from the sistering Ute tribes and Ernest House Jr., executive director of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs.
The Governor paid a visit to the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy and got a taste of Ute culture from the Ute language instructor, Crystal Ivey.
Carol Baker Olguin lets the Governor take his taste buds for a spin with some authentic Native American cuisine.
Gov. Hickenlooper keeps steady aim during an archery session inside the Sun Ute Community Center, aided by Kevin Winkler.
Gov. Hickenlooper poses with members from the Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council.
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Damon Toledo | The Southern Ute Drum
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Gov. Hickenlooper signed House Bill 14-1080 – Sales & Use Tax Exemption for Colorado Ute Indians – into law on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation Friday, May 30.

Members of the two Ute tribes are now tax-exempt from vendors on and off the reservation that deliver a good or service to a tribal member on the reservation.

The bill also includes tax exemptions on the sale of motor vehicles. If the vehicle is registered to an address on the reservation, the purchase is exempt of state and use tax.

Newly elected Chairman, Clement J. Frost, welcomed Hickenlooper to the reservation focusing on the significance of this historic event.

“This is a special time, we have the governor here on our land,” Frost said. “Thank you to the governor’s staff, state representatives and CCIA [Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs] for recognizing this and making it a law.”

The occasion marks the first time in history any Colorado governor has signed a bill on an Indian reservation.

“This is a reflection of our intention to build stronger bridges with the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute people,” Hickenlooper said. “ You are separate nations, but we are all partners.”

After signing the bill, Hickenlooper toured tribal campus and the Southern Ute Three Springs Business District before continuing on into Durango.

Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council was also present at the signing to ask the governor questions concerning tribal youth.

Hickenlooper’s parting advice to the youth.

“Work hard, be nice and never quit.”

 

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