Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe are descendants of the Weenuche band of Utes, and we have more than 2,000 members.
Sovereignty
The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe is a federally recognized tribe. The UMUT Tribal constitution was adopted in 1940. The Tribe is governed by a seven-member elected council. One council member represents White Mesa, and the other members are elected at-large. The council selects a chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer and secretary-custodian from its membership.
Government administration is headed by a Tribal council–appointed executive director. Government offices and facilities are concentrated in and around the community of Towaoc, although there are some government offices in White Mesa. According to tribal officials, White Mesa operates as a semi-autonomous government in many respects.
The Tribal Administration Department provides for the administrative support services for the executive branch of the Tribal Government. This branch includes the Tribal Chairman, the Tribal Council and the Executive Director. It is the responsibility of the Tribal Administration and the Executive Branch to be completely accountable for both internal and external issues which will affect the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and its membership.
The administrative leader of the Tribe is the Chairman of the Tribal Council. This Chairman’s council seat is one of the seven seats elected through popular vote for a three-year term. The position of Vice Chairman is held by an elected Councilman, which is selected every year by the Chairman. The Tribal Council Treasurer is an elected Councilman voted annually by the Tribal Council members. In all matters, the Tribe is a sovereign nation and determines its own course of action. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council, subject to all restrictions in the Constitution and by-laws and the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, has the right and powers to oversee the following:
- Make and perform contracts and agreements
- Engage in business enterprise
- Manage Tribal real and personal property
- Negotiate and assign Tribal security for loans
- Enact and enforce ordinances to promote public peace, safety and welfare
The Tribe is structured as a Federal Corporation that may be used for business purposes in developing financial growth and Tribal economy. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Government Offices are headquartered in Towaoc, Colorado, 15 miles south of Cortez, Colorado, on US Highway 491/160 in Montezuma County, Colorado.
The fact that the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation lies in different states usually complicates the political geography; however, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe is a sovereign nation and has an agreeable relationship. All Tribal lands are trust lands, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council has full authority and jurisdiction regarding all issues in the political geography.
Courtesy of and Copyright: Ute Mountain Ute Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Chairman Manuel Heart
Courtesy of KSUT
Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance
Courtesy of Southern Ute Indian Tribe Drum
Members of Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute at Colorado State Capitol
Courtesy KUNC
Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Complex
Courtesy of Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
Chairmen Manuel Heart, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and Chairman Melvin J. Baker, Southern Ute Indian Tribe at the Colorado Capitol, October 3, 2024
Courtesy of the Colorado Sun, Photograph by Elliott Wenzler
Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance
Courtesy of Southern Ute Indian Tribe Drum, Photograph by Divine Windy Boy
Southern Ute Veterans Association members joined Ute Mountain Ute Color Guard during Grand Entry, August 24, 2024
Courtesy of the Southern Ute Drum, Photograph by Krista Richards
Bear Dance: the next generation.
Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, 2014 Peoples of the Mesa Verde Region, https://www.crowcanyon.org/
Members of the Ute Mountain and Southern Ute tribes serve as Color Guard during the Saturday evening Grand Entry on Saturday, June 3
Pictured left right, Gordon Hammond (USMC), Kara Whiteskunk, Rudley Weaver (Navy), Jeffery Whiteskunk (Army), Kendreth Wall (Army) and Raymond Curley (USMC), Willard Light (Army).
The Southern Ute Drum, Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz
Master of Ceremonies Dano Clark and Bear Dance Chief Mark Wing prepare for the evening’s grand entry of the Ute Mountain Ute Beardance Powwow.
Pictured left right, Gordon Hammond (USMC), Kara Whiteskunk, Rudley Weaver (Navy), Jeffery Whiteskunk (Army), Kendreth Wall (Army) and Raymond Curley (USMC), Willard Light (Army).
The Southern Ute Drum, Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz
Membership & Location
The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe are descendants of the Weenuche band of Utes, and we have more than 2,000 members.
Our reservation consists of over 640,000 acres, and our elected seven-member tribal council, including the chairperson, meets at our tribal headquarters in Towaoc, Colorado.
Enterprises, Culture & Education
Our Ute Mountain Ute business enterprises include: a Trading Company and Gallery; Pottery; Construction Authority; Casino and Resort, Travel Plaza; and ranches in Colorado and Utah.
Our community members gather at the senior center, library, recreation center, and skatepark.
Kwiyagat Community Academy, the first Colorado charter school on an Indian reservation, fosters revitalization of the Nuchiu language and culture while incorporating modern perspectives.
Ute Language Dictionary
Courtesy of Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
Ute Mountain Ute Language Project Nuuwayga App
Courtesy of the Ute Mountain Ute Language Project
First-grade student RedSky Lang during a language game led by Betty Howe
Courtesy of The Colorado Trust, Photography by Shannon Mullane
The manufacture and sale of hand-painted pottery has become an important part of the Ute arts and crafts industry.
Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, 2014 Peoples of the Mesa Verde Region, https://www.crowcanyon.org/
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Honors 30th Anniversary of the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel in Towaoc, Colorado
Courtesy of Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Fram and Ranch Enterprises
Kwiyagat Community Academy in Towaoc, Colorado
Courtesy of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
The Ute Mountain Casino in Towaoc, Colorado, opened in 1992.
Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, 2014 Peoples of the Mesa Verde Region, https://www.crowcanyon.org/
The Ute Mountain Ute Farm and Ranch Enterprise
Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, 2014 Peoples of the Mesa Verde Region, https://www.crowcanyon.org/
The long-awaited promise of water brings hope for continued economic growth, page 1
Courtesy of the Water Education Colorado
The long-awaited promise of water brings hope for continued economic growth, page 2
Courtesy of the Water Education Colorado
Tribes to Administer Their Own Clean Water Programs, page 1
Courtesy of the Water Education Colorado
Tribes to Administer Their Own Clean Water Programs, page 2
Courtesy of the Water Education Colorado
As drought in the West worsens, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in Colorado faces a dwindling water supply
Courtesy of The Colorado Sun
Entrance to Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park
Courtesy of Uncover Colorado
Tree House Ruin at Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park
Courtesy of Uncover Colorado, Photograph by Robert Shea
Guide Rickey Hayes interprets the past at Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park
Courtesy of The Durango Herald, Photograph by Andrew Gulliford
The Butterfly Panel in Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park features ancient Hopi symbols and is a marker for winter solstice
Courtesy of The Durango Herald, Photograph by Andrew Gulliford
Some of the best preserved and most remote of all Ancestral Puebloan dwellings have long been protected in Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park
Courtesy of The Durango Herald, Photograph by Andrew Gulliford
Eagle’s Nest is one of the most famous cliff dwellings in Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park
Courtesy of The Durango Herald, Photograph by Andrew Gulliford
Drones help Ute Mountain Ute Tribe create detailed maps of ruins in tribal park
Courtesy of The Denver Post, Photograph by Elizabeth Zach for The Washington Post
Tribal Park
We own and operate the 125,000 acre Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park, which preserves and protects historic sites, promotes scientific research and offers guided tours to promote education and preservation.
We are proud to show you our land and the history of who we are, all we ask is that you respect our ways of life and cultural beliefs.
Legend of the Sleeping Ute Mountain
In the very old days, the Sleeping Ute Mountain was a Great Warrior God. He came to help fight against the Evil Ones who were causing much trouble.
A tremendous battle between the Great Warrior God and the Evil Ones followed. As they steeped hard upon the earth and braced themselves to fight, their feet pushed the land into mountains and valleys. This is how the country of this region came to be as it is today.
The Great Warrior god was hurt, so he lay down to rest and fell into a deep sleep. The blood from his wound turned into living water for all creatures to drink.
When the fog or clouds settle over the Sleeping Warrior God, it is a sign that the is changing his blankets for the four seasons. When the Indians see the light green blanket over their “God”, they know it is spring. The dark green blanket is summer, the yellow and red one is fall, and the white one is winter.
The Indians believe that when the clouds gather on the highest peak, the Warrior God is pleased with his people and is letting rain clouds slip from his pockets. They also believe that the Great Warrior God will rise again to help them in the fight against their enemies.
Courtesy of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
Sleeping Ute Mountain towers at nearly 10,000 feet tall
Courtesy of Ute Indian Museum and Four Corners Film Office
