The Ute people have oral traditions going back thousands of years—that explain that their origin was possibly right here in Colorado. 

Sleeping Ute Mountain is a sacred site in Ute territory near present day Cortez, CO. The mountain, shaped like a man lying on his back, was believed to embody the spirit of an ancient warrior.

The history of the state’s original inhabitants: the Utes. Historians trace their origins from pre-colonial days and early interactions with American trappers and explorers through the escalating friction with new settlers and gold seekers, to their ultimate expulsion to reservations. The first reservations were established in the 1860’s, and the question of land rights remains a topic of dispute.

ute_sleepingutemtn

History Colorado

Excerpt Clip from The Original Coloradans

“In the days before ancient times,” begins one Ute creation story, “there were no people in any part of the world. . . .”

. . . One day Senawahv, the Creator, began to cut sticks and place them in a large bag. He gave the bag to Coyote and said, “Carry these over the far hills to the valleys beyond. You must not open the bag until you reach the sacred grounds.”

Coyote was young and foolish, consumed with curiosity. As soon as he was over the first hill and out of sight, he decided to peek into the bag. “That could hurt nothing,” he thought. When Coyote untied the bag, many people came out, all of them speaking different languages. He tried to catch them and get them into the bag, but they scattered in every direction.

By the time Coyote closed the bag, it was almost empty. He hurried on to the sacred valley and opened the bag, releasing the few people who remained. These were the Utes.

When Senawahv learned what had happened, he was very angry with Coyote. “Those you let escape will forever be at war with the Utes,” he said. “They will forever try to gain land from their neighbors. But the Utes, though few in number, will be the mightiest and most valiant of heart. They will be able to defeat the rest.”

Studio portrait of Chief Severo and Native American (Ute) men, women and children identified as Severo family members. Chief Severo stands and wears probably a military or law enforcement uniform, a hat, jacket, vest and neckerchief. Men beside Severo wear hair pipe breast plates, chokers or neckerchiefs, and braids. Women sit and pose and wear woven mantas (shawls), long skirts and moccasins. Women pose with a girl in a calico dress and beside babies in leather cradleboards.

Chief Severo and family

The Ute language is related to the languages of the Paiute, Shoshone, Comanche and Hopi tribes, who were neighbors and trading partners. They are called Numic languages. Because the languages are similar, some historians and archaeologists believe that these groups may have migrated to Colorado and nearby states hundreds of years ago, then separated into different groups.

The history of the state’s original inhabitants: the Utes. Historians trace their origins from pre-colonial days and early interactions with American trappers and explorers through the escalating friction with new settlers and gold seekers, to their ultimate expulsion to reservations. The first reservations were established in the 1860’s, and the question of land rights remains a topic of dispute.  Full documentary: https://video.rmpbs.org/video/colorado-experience-original-coloradans/


bearDance

Many believe that the tribe descended from the ancient native people who inhabited western Colorado’s deserts as long as 2,000 years ago.

The Utes call themselves Nuu-ci  or Nuche, which means “the people.”  They were known to their American Indian neighbors by many names. Spanish explorers used a version of these names and called them yutas, Uticas or Utacas which is where the name “Ute” comes from. The state of Utah is named for the Ute people.

Standards for Ute Creation Story and Origins