CLICS/CLICS2024A/commsumm.nsf
PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For PRESENTATION FROM THE UTE MOUNTAIN UTE TRIBE
INTERIM COMMITTEE AMERICAN INDIAN AFFAIRS INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE
Date Jul 30, 2024
Location Off-site
Presentation from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe - Committee Discussion Only
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02:27:54 PM |
Vice Chairman Selwyn
Whiteskunk, Treasurer Alston Turtle, and Council Member Conrad Jacket,
all representing the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, introduced themselves and
began their presentation. Vice Chairman Whiteskunk explained the structure
of the tribal council. Treasurer Turtle summarized the tribe's top six
priorities.
These priorities were creating more stable housing for tribal members,
developing an education system that helps to preserve the Ute Mountain
Ute Tribe's culture and language, coordinating with urban Indians to address
their issues, a lack of law enforcement on the reservation, water preservation,
and addressing health disparities among tribal members.
Council Member Jacket presented on the Ute Mountain Ute Tribes's recent
successes and challenges. He discussed the appointment of tribal liaisons
for several state departments, the development of the Sun Bear Solar Project,
and the Kwiyagat Community Academy's efforts to preserve the Ute Mountain
Ute's language.
Council Member Jacket also discussed the lack of involvement in the state's
changes to sports betting, the reintroduction of the wolves in Colorado
and how the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe was not consulted, the lack of water
in the area, and the threat of increased pollution by non-tribal members.
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03:02:01 PM |
General Counsel Peter
J. Ortego and Executive Director John Trocheck, representing the Ute Mountain
Ute Tribe's executive staff, introduced themselves and presented on ways
to improve the relationship between the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the
state. They discussed improving communication with the Ute Mountian Ute
Tribe about changes to state and federal laws and regulations, coordinating
with tribes when reaching court settlements that impact the Ute Mountain
Ute Tribe, not requiring the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe to wave their sovereign
immunity when working with the state, helping the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
with tax collection, and collaboration between the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
and the state in developing a framework for prosecuting crimes committed
by non-tribal members against tribal members on the Ute Mountain Ute reservation.
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03:19:45 PM |
Majority Leader Duran explained the purpose of the committee and answered the council members' questions.
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03:35:14 PM |
Committee members
and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council provided closing remarks.
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