History Colorado

Explore information about the Ute Bear Dance.

We Are Still Here-Bear Dance

Each of the three Ute tribes has its own seal with images and icons that are important to the Tribes. The government of each tribe is elected by the members of the tribe.

We Are Still Here-Government

The government established two boarding schools for Ute children, including one at Ignacio in 1902 and one at Towaoc in 1906.

Reservation Life-Boarding Schools

By the 1880s, the white settlers had caused the Ute bands to separate and live on three reservations. 

Reservation Life

The Ute Indian Tribe lives on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in Fort Duschesne, Utah. It is the second largest Indian reservation in the U.S., and covers over 4.5 million acres. The tribe oversees 1.3 million acres of land. The tribe’s membership is 3,022 people. Over half of the membership lives on the Reservation. The Ute Indian Tribe are descendants of the Tabeguache, Yamparica, Parianuche, Uintah, Cumumba, Tupanawach, San Pitch, Pah Vant and Sheberetch bands.

We Are Still Here-Uintah and Ouray Reservation

Horses were important for trade. Ute bands were connected to each other through a trade network that stretched to the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Southwest, the Great Basin, and the plains.

Hides for Horses

Ute Timeline after European Contact

We Are Still Here-Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

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

Ute Creation Story and Origins

Draw and label where the 3 Ute tribes are located.

Many Bands, One People: Ute Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and Southern Ute Tribe

Ute people are the longest continuous residents of Colorado and are still here today. Explore the history of the Ute people-CO's oldest inhabitants.

Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation

Utah American Indians: Curriculum and Digital Archive    

Ute Indian Tribe - Uintah & Ouray Reservation

Ute Tribal Paths

Engineering and Technology

Science

Civics and Government

Social Studies

U.S. History

The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 makes it law for the U.S. to deal with the tribes as a nation. Tribes living on reservations are considered sovereign nations within the United States, meaning the tribes have the right to create their own government.  In 1950, the three Ute tribes were awarded more than $31 million dollars for lands taken illegally by the U.S. government

Uintah and Ouray Reservation. In the center of the flag is a circular emblem that is composed of a spread-winged golden eagle. Emerging from the base of the two outside indian figures are the two claws of the eagle. The claws frame a geometric symbol composed of two red diamonds, a black diamond and blue and black triangles. The eagle claws clutch a ceremonial tobacco pipe.

Flag, Great Seal of the Ute Indian Tribe

The first Ute tribal councils were organized in the late 1930s as a result of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. Indian Tribes around the United States were given a template to create their own government, based on the U.S. Constitution. Each of the three Ute tribes decided on their own form of democratically-elected government.

This is a blue-background nylon flag with a white seamed hoist edge. There is white inscription running along the head on both sides. In the center of the fly is a white background circular canton with red inscription around the edge and imagery in the center

Flag, Great Seal of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe

They administer tribal affairs, make and enforce laws on the reservation, protect tribal land and resources, and run businesses.

This car decal would be placed on a Ute Mountain Ute tribal vehicle. The tribal seal is a symbol of tribal government and sovereignty. The Ute tribes place it on a variety of items, but those items are not for sale. They are given to and used by tribal chairmen and council members. They are sometimes given by chairmen and council members to others to commemorate sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship between the tribe and other government entities.

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Ute Tribal Paths

We Are Still Here-Government

Guiding Question

Ute Indian Tribe