Colorado lawmakers press federal officials over law enforcement shortages on Ute Mountain Ute Reservation

Colorado lawmakers are urging federal officials to review law enforcement staffing on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation following a rise in violent crime, according to reporting by KSUT. U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, along with U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, asked the Bureau of Indian Affairs to conduct a 90-day needs assessment and explain why the reservation has one BIA-assigned officer despite reports that 10 officers were previously assigned.

According to KSUT, the reservation spans nearly 600,000 acres and includes the community of Towaoc, Colorado, and White Mesa, Utah. Tribal leaders and lawmakers say the limited staffing comes as the community faces increased gun violence, domestic violence and stabbings. In January, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council enacted a nightly curfew across the reservation in an effort to reduce violence while policing resources remain limited. Lawmakers said they will continue pressing federal officials for additional law enforcement support.