House Joint Resolution 15-1016 Summary

• Celebrates and honors the rich heritage of the Ute people who have inhabited Colorado and neighboring states since time immemorial, recognizing their contributions to government, medicine, education, religion, architecture, environment, and the military.

• Acknowledges the Ute Tribes as a confederation of seven bands (Mouache, Capote, Weeminuche, Tabeguache, White River, Yampa, and Uintah) that comprise three Ute Tribal nations today, specifically the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of Ignacio and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of Towaoc.

• Recognizes the two Colorado Ute Tribes as the largest employers in Montezuma, La Plata, and Archuleta counties with additional holdings on the eastern slope of Colorado and throughout the nation.

• Commits Colorado to maintaining strong, respectful government-to-government relations between state and local governments and the sovereign Indian nations, while supporting tribal efforts in public safety, education, health care, and economic development.

• Directs copies of the resolution be sent to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and tribal chairmen of both the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe.