Thank you for visiting the official website for Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera's Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs. Our office serves as the official liaison between the State of Colorado, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. The relationship between the State of Colorado and sovereign Tribal governments is founded on a strong government-to-government relationship. The Commission ensures direct contact and meaningful engagement with the Tribes and with Colorado's urban Indian communities.
The Commission is committed to facilitating communication between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, the other 46 Historic Tribes of Colorado, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) organizations, state agencies, and affiliated groups. Our ongoing goal is to positively impact the lives of Colorado's American Indians and communities statewide. Our office is available to assist you in navigating state government, contacting the Lieutenant Governor and other state officials, applying to serve on a state board or commission, and more.
We welcome your questions and comments, please contact us.
Representatives from the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian Tribes have a direct line of communication to the Lt. Governor's office. Here, Lt. Governor Primavera is pictured with members of the Southern Ute Tribal Council, members of the Commission, and other in-person attendees at the September 2022 quarterly meeting.
History of CCIA
In 1976, the Colorado General Assembly created the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs (CCIA) within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The Commission was designed to be the official liaison between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and the State of Colorado. The Commission is fully committed to work on a government-to-government basis with each of the two Tribal governments and to maintain direct contact with the Tribes and American Indian/Alaska Native communities statewide. Specific duties of CCIA are outlined in the Mandated Responsibilities: CCIA Enabling Statute, C.R.S. 24-44-101. Statutory duties are set forth at C.R.S. 24-44-103.
- CCIA Enabling Statute, C.R.S. 24-44-101 et seq. statutory duties are set forth at C.R.S. 24-44-103.
It is the duty of the commission
- To coordinate intergovernmental dealings between tribal governments and this state,
- To investigate the needs of Indians of this state and to provide technical assistance in the preparation of plans for the alleviation of such needs,
- To cooperate with and secure the assistance of the local, state, and federal governments or any agencies thereof in formulating and coordinating programs regarding Indian affairs adopted or planned by the federal government so that the full benefit of such programs will accrue to the Indians of this state,
- To review all proposed or pending legislation and amendments to existing legislation affecting Indians in this state,
- To study the existing status of recognition of all Indian groups, tribes, and communities presently existing in this state,
- To employ and fix the compensation of an executive secretary of the commission, who shall carry out the responsibilities of the commission,
- To petition the general assembly for funds to effectively administer the commission\'s affairs and to expend funds in compliance with state regulations,
- To accept and receive gifts, funds, grants, bequests, and devices for use in furthering the purposes of the commission,
- To contract with public or private bodies to provide services and facilities for promoting the welfare of the Indian people,
- To make legislative recommendations,
- To make and publish reports of findings and recommendations.
Structure of CCIA
The Lieutenant Governor serves in the statutory role as chair of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs. The CCIA staff includes the Executive Director, Interagency Tribal Liaison, and Executive Assistant/Project Coordinator who are responsible for carrying out the day to day tasks of the Commission. CCIA also consists of 11 voting commissioners and several non-voting members who represent various interests within the Native American community.
Additionally, CCIA is able to create special committees to engage with various themes relevant to AI/AN Tribes and communities statewide. CCIA currently has an active Health and Wellness Committee. Past committees have included the Economic Opportunities and Resources Committee, the Education Committee, and the Reinterment Committee which has since become the Colorado Lands Workgroup.
For more information about CCIA's committees, please visit the committees' Initiatives page.
List of CCIA Members
Voting Members
- Dianne Primavera
CCIA Chairperson | Lt. Governor
Lt. Governor's Office - Manuel Heart
Tribal Chairman
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe - Alston Turtle
Tribal Treasurer
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe - Melvin J. Baker
Tribal Chairman
Southern Ute Indian Tribe - Marjorie Barry
Tribal Councilwoman
Southern Ute Indian Tribe - Michelle Barnes
Executive Director
CO. Dept. of Human Services - Dan Gibbs
Executive Director
CO. Dept. of Natural Resources - Maria de Cambra
Executive Director
CO. Dept. of Local Affairs - Rachel Bryan-Auker
Tribal Liaison
CO. Dept. of Public Health &, Environment - Lucille Echohawk
At-Large Commissioner - Crystal LoudHawk-Hedgepeth
At-Large Commissioner
Ex-Officio (non-voting) Members
- Kathryn Redhorse
CCIA Executive Director
Office of the Lt. Governor - Julie Constan
Region 5 Director
CO. Dept. of Transportation - Susana Cordova
Commissioner of Education
CO. Dept. of Education - Kim Bimestefer
Executive Director
CO. Dept. of Health Care Policy &, Financing - Andre Stancil
Executive Director
CO. Dept. of Corrections - Brett Shelton
Staff Attorney
Native American Rights Fund - Dr. Holly Norton
Director, Office of Archaeology and Preservation
History Colorado - Bob Troyer
Acting U.S. Attorney
Colorado U.S. Attorney - Elsa Ramirez
Acting Regional Director &, Executive Officer
U.S. Dept. of Health &, Human Services Region VIII - Patty Salazar
Executive Director
CO. Dept. of Regulatory Agencies - Marsha Porter-Norton
County Commissioner
La Plata County - Tom Burris
Superintendent
Montezuma-Cortez School District - Chris DeKay
Superintendent
Ignacio School District - Gregory Felsen
County Extension Director
Montezuma County - Vanessa Devereaux
Director of Division of Community Engagement
Attorney General's Office