Richards appointed to United Veterans Coalition of Colorado
Association to represent on behalf of Colorado Ute tribes
The United Veterans Coalition of Colorado recently welcomed Howard Richards Sr. to the state level veteran’s organization as a representative for the Colorado Ute tribes in the interests of their veterans. “The United Veteran’s Coalition of Colorado appointed me to be the representative of both Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute veterans in the Coalition,” Southern Ute Veterans Association Commander, Howard Richards Sr. said. “I was really taken back to being nominated. I’m kind of honored that this happened in that fashion, but it also took us almost 30 years to get in the door.”
Richards is being named as the Special Vice President for the Southern Ute Association and the Ute Mountain Ute Veterans. Richards is a Vietnam combat veteran, former Chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and a Ute elder.
In a letter to Richards, United Veterans Coalition of Colorado President, Dick Young said, “I have your brief bio from Jim Craig, and it is impressive. And I feel honored that you and the groups you represent wish to join our statewide organization — as you bring much to the table.” Young served as a Rear Admiral (Retired) with the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1988.
Founded in 1972, the United Veterans Coalition of Colorado (UVC) is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) incorporated organization registered with the state of Colorado; whose mission is to activate and represent member organizations, speaking with one unified voice in Colorado; to work with and educate state and federal elected and appointed public policy makers to ensure support for veteran issues and concerns; and to inform and educate Colorado citizens about the needs of veterans, active-duty armed service members and their families.
The UVC developed out of the efforts of Vietnam veterans, enlisting the support of veterans from previous eras, to push for the jobs and benefits promised to them. In a statement by the UVC, “It is because their focus was on advocacy and lobbying for public policy at the federal and state levels, they later applied for and received a 501(c)(4) designation from the IRS – which allowed them to lobby on issues of importance to veterans, while staying out of partisan politics.”
“I am excited about your groups becoming a part of the UVC and look forward to working closely with you and your others who want to get involved,” Young said in his welcome letter. “We certainly feel and believe your groups becoming a significant part of our organization is a major step forward for us.”
Richards attend a virtual meeting of the United Veterans Coalition of Colorado, Tuesday, Nov. 22 via Zoom, where a formal introduction was made to the board, welcoming him on behalf of the Southern Ute Veterans Association and Ute Mountain Ute veterans.
“Just being officially accepted next month is a milestone, a big milestone,” Richards said. “We’ve always tried to open that door, now it’s open.”
The Southern Ute Veterans Association was first organized in 1986 and cemented in the by-laws in 1994. The Association received their first budget in 1995.
“I grew up with the traditional leadership, the original council members, [Executive Officer] Eugene Naranjo, Leonard C. Burch, Eddie Box Sr., and Clement Frost,” Richards said. “Vida [Peabody] would be one who would step up and help us with travel; they understood the sacrifices that the veterans made, for the Utes, for this land. The trials and tribulations that we have gone through to get here and are still going through today.”
“As a non-veteran…don’t tell me what I need, ask me what I want,” Richards said. “You have to be a veteran to understand what the meaning of that is.”
He is an advocate for Native veterans receiving the benefits due to them, explaining that New Mexico veterans might reside in Colorado or vice-versa…but they need to be made aware of the benefits and health care they are entitled to — no matter where they live now. “The message has got to get to those veterans to seek benefits in the state that they reside in,” he said.
“As a former leader of the Tribe, I fight for veterans’ rights on all avenues,” Richards said. “All veterans, we are all a brotherhood; that was instilled into us in the military. We are here to watch each other’s back — no matter race, creed, or color.”
The Southern Ute Veterans Association and its sister tribe’s affiliation with the United Veteran’s Coalition of Colorado will help to amplify the voice for Native veterans in Southwest Colorado.
UVC is a non-partisan, non-profit organization. Member Organization benefits include getting acquainted with the leaders in Colorado’s veteran community, helping monitor legislation that impacts veterans, meeting veterans service organization executives and staff from across Colorado, learning about the wide array of services available to veterans and their families in healthcare, education, employment and more. There are no membership dues, although donations to the organization are welcomed.
“As the commander I have the best interest of all tribal veterans in mind. I need to show that we have a tradition and a beautiful culture,” Richards emphasized. “We are unique I believe…we are who we are — the oldest living residents in the state of Colorado.”