Concerns about violence have prompted the Ute Mountain Ute tribal council to implement a nighttime curfew on the reservation.
At a special meeting on Jan. 2, the tribal council voted five to one to pass a resolution implementing the curfew, according to online posts by the tribe. The resolution cites “on-going violence” as the cause.
The curfew is from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and is in effect in both the Towaoc and White Mesa, Utah, communities. People are told to be in their homes unless they have a reason not to be that qualifies under exemptions listed in the resolution.
In December 2024, a 7-year-old Ute boy was shot to death while in bed in Towaoc at night. In August of last year, a woman was shot to death while sitting in a car in Towaoc one night.
Recently, according to online posts, two tribal members were stabbed on the reservation. KSJD could not reach anyone within the Bureau of Indian Affairs office to confirm that alleged incident. Tribal chair Selwyn Whiteskunk also could not be reached for comment.
The curfew resolution provides for increasing fines for people who repeatedly violate the order, with a first offense requiring a $150 fine. Exemptions are provided for essential employees traveling to their workplace, people traveling because of an emergency, emergency workers, law-enforcement personnel, security, and state and federal employees who are on duty.
The order states the curfew will remain in place until a further order by the council.
Gail Binkly is a career journalist who has worked for the Colorado Springs Gazette and Cortez Journal, and was the editor of the Four Corners Free Press, based in Cortez.
