The Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribes Historic Preservation Office recently signed its first contract with Colorados historic preservation office, officials announced this week.
Ed Nichols, state historic preservation officer and president of History Colorado, called the contracts a historic moment for both offices, in a Wednesday news release. A strong relationship between the state and Ute Mountain Ute historic preservation offices is vital, he said.
The agreement provides the Ute Mountain Ute organization with more than $200,000 from the states historical fund, a program of History Colorado, to develop and implement a cultural resources management plan, officials said. The plan would develop criteria for prioritizing historic areas, archaelogical sites and historic buildings on tribal lands. It also would create rules surrounding fees, permits and unanticipated discoveries.
The tribes preservation office will create a website providing the permit and other related information and will build a database of site records that includes information on past, present and future preservation efforts and sites.
Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Gary Hayes said the grants will be critical for ensuring the longevity of the tribes preservation office and will allow tribal officials to concentrate on preserving important historic sites on tribal land.
As the first residents of the state of Colorado, this moment only further strengthens the longstanding partnership that we have with History Colorado, Hayes said.
The tribe took over historic preservation duties from the state on its land in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah in 2009. The development of its historic preservation office aims to ensure tribal concerns are met in consideration of historic resources, the news release said.
The tribal agency hopes to foster collaboration with local, state and national government agencies and officials to protect and manage historic lands and properties and educate the public on the tribes rich cultural heritage, the release said.
