Colorado: Tribal Council advocates for right to offer sports betting

The group met with legislators at the state capitol.

The Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Council recently traveled to Denver, Colorado to advocate for Tribal sovereignty during this year’s Ute Day at the Capitol.

The event was put in place in 2019 by Governor Jared Polis to “publicly celebrate and honor the contributions and sovereignty of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and the Ute Indian Tribe.”

The Council engaged with state lawmakers and the Governor to discuss the importance of honoring previously established agreements, particularly those to are on Tribal lands.

Chairman Baker gave an address at the capitol and reminded those in attendance of the terms of the Tribe’s gaming compact, which allows the group to “engage in gaming activities that are identical to the activities and bet amounts that are authorized in the State of Colorado.”

Baker went on to note that under the terms of the compact, this allowance also applies to sports betting.

According to the Council’s online statement, “The Governor failed to honor this compact when the Colorado Department of Gaming ordered suppliers to not engage in business with the Tribe, solely to benefit non-Tribal gaming interests.

“The Tribe is entitled to engage in statewide internet sports betting in accordance with its gaming compact.”

The Tribal Council explained the motivation behind attending in an official statement, “This designation encourages Coloradans to actively seek knowledge about the history and heritage of the Ute people in Colorado’s past, present, and future.

“That history has long been one of broken promises and the infringement of Tribal lands and sovereignty. Agreements with the Ute bands have been dishonored for the economic gains of others. This disrespect is not a relic of a distant past but far too often continues today.”

Sarah Chen

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