Former Southern Ute Payroll Specialist, Stephanie Monte retired from her position with the Payroll Department on Friday, May 21. Monte has worked for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe since the early 1970’s, her first job was at the old Casino as a lifeguard. Most recently she has worked in the Finance and Payroll Departments, handling tribal disbursements and employee paychecks.

         Monte was born and raised in Ignacio, Colo. “I went to school in Ignacio, from kindergarten to high school and eventually made my way into business school in Colorado Springs,” Monte said. After returning from business school she started working in Durango, Colo. at a local bank where she met her late husband Victor Monte. They married in 1977 and started their family together on the Southern Ute Reservation.

         “Everybody has been so supportive of my decision to retire — I do miss all my fellow employees already but we stay in contact,” Monte stated. “I eventually want to return to work but who knows when that will be, for now I am going to take care of my family and home.”

         Monte has spent the early part of her retirement getting her field ready for irrigation. “I now have the time to grow some hay— I have some high expectations for myself, but a day’s work is a day’s work and I am just trying to keep busy.”

         “We were all so close in that building (Leonard C. Burch Administration Building) and it was hard for me to make the decision to leave, but I don’t regret it. Sometimes you have to do what’s good for you even if it’s difficult,” Monte reflected.

         Now that Monte is no longer with the payroll department, all payroll related questions and concerns are currently being directed to Tina Velasquez, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis.

 “Stephanie has been such a valuable and integral part of the Payroll team and she will be sorely missed— we are all genuinely thankful to have had the opportunity to work with Stephanie, and know her as a friend,” Velasquez shared.