Senate Leadership Celebrates First Ever Joint Address from Colorado Tribal Leadership

DENVER, CO – Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, and Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, today celebrated the first ever Joint Address by leaders of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe before the Colorado General Assembly:

“Senate Democrats were honored to be joined by representatives from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe for a first of its kind address to Colorado’s legislature. Today’s address marks an historic step forward in strengthening our partnership with Colorado’s Tribes and uplifting the priorities, concerns, and accomplishments of those communities. At the outset of our session to build a better Colorado for all, today’s remarks are a welcome time for reflection on the nature of Colorado’s relationship with our Tribal partners, and an opportunity to recommit ourselves to earnest collaboration moving forward.”

In 2022, former Senator Kerry Donovan passed SB22-105, requiring an annual joint address from leaders from the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian Tribes to allow space to elevate tribal needs and encourage strong partnership between Colorado’s federally recognized Tribes and the state.