Ancestral Lands

Faced with population growth, development pressure, energy infrastructure, extreme weather, and a changing climate, the Ute and related Numic indigenous Homelands, including surface and underground water resources, are targeted by private, state and federal interests, especially along the Colorado River drainage which includes the tributary springs, streams and rivers federally reserved for recognized American Indian Tribes.  By the end of 2026 the states and tribes along the Colorado River must create a management plan to address current and future decreasing water flows during draught conditions.  Creative solutions and needed funding are necessary to help our indigenous populations reacquire, protect and develop their ancestral homelands for sustained beneficial use enabling current and future generations to maintain, manage and develop stable family and culturally based self-sustained communities.