A Kentuckian in Ute Country

Good morning everyone from Durango, Colorado- a short five hour drive from my current home and Forest Service headquarters in Pueblo, Colorado. Well, it would be a short five hours if I could ever stop pulling over to take pictures of stuff. But I digress.

I’m in Durango this weekend to visit my friends in the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and learn more about Ute history and culture. Since I came onboard I’ve been adamant the the only way the Forest Service will develop relationships with the tribes who call Colorado and western Kansas home is to spend real, meaningful time with them. And that means honoring our commitments to the them by getting on the road and getting out here.

This post isn’t to give an insiders look at anything- that I think would be a betrayal of the friendships I have developed and the honor that we are bound to as neighbors. But I do think that it’s probably ok to least explain the work I’m doing out here and maybe some general impressions or at least feelings I have of gratitude I have here.

Colorado, like all states, is on Native land. There are two reservations in the state- the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe- but as elsewhere, all of these lands are home to a number of people, regardless of where they currently reside. I had the great honor of serving the Seminole Tribe of Florida for about three years before holding this position, and was rewarded by their hospitality and friendship, which I continue to cherish today. The same has started here. I’ve made some real wonderful people who have encouraged me to spend time out here to learn Ute history and culture.

Folks, it is beautiful.

Right now, I don’t know if it’s appropriate for me to tell Ute history. I’m still learning out here. But if you’d like to know more about Ute history and culture, you can visit the reservations and museums here. Or you can cruise by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe website, which you can find right here: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/history/.

In the meantime, I did want to at least share with you a few photos I took as I drove west from Pueblo.

This is Mount Blanca. It’s about halfway between Pueblo and Durango. My friend James Brooks informs me there are many names: Tsisnaasjini, or White Shell Mountain, in Navajo; Peeroradath (dragon or serpent’s back) to the Capote; Pintsae’i’i for Tewas.

This of Wolf Creek Pass, which is near the Southern Ute Reservation. There’s a great scenic lookout you can turn off into to see this view.

I don’t know the name of this mountain but it’s really pretty.

If you like waterfalls, you can go chasing this one. It is called Treasure Falls.

I just fit.

Guys, stop to smell the trees. It’s good for you.

Along the way, I encountered a lot of tourists. So, wearing my Forest Service gear, I greeted them, welcomed them out there and told folks that these were traditional Ute lands and that the Ute people are among those indigenous to Colorado. I helped a few take pics. I can’t help it; it’s the Southerner in me.

I also reminded them that the Forest Service is way better than the Parks Service. I can’t help that either; that’s my momma in me.

Anyway, I’ll be spending a few days out here and I’ll share what I can or I think is appropriate. I hope your weekend is off to a great start. :)

Jason