In 1976, the Colorado General Assembly created (See C.R.S. §§ 24-44-101 to 24-44-108), within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs (CCIA). The Lieutenant Governor serves in the statutory role as chair of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs. The Commission was designed to be the official liaison between the two Ute Tribes and the State of Colorado. Legislators and tribal leaders envisioned a productive relationship between the state and tribal governments. Since its inception, the Commission has worked with the two Ute Indian Tribes in Colorado and the off-reservation American Indian people who live in Colorado.

There are 11 members of the Commission, including the Lieutenant Governor, the Executive Director of the Department of Human Services, Public Health and Environment, Natural Resources, and Local Affairs; two official representatives each from Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes and two at-large members who are selected by the commission at its first meeting and annually thereafter. Other state agencies serve as ex-officio members to provide advice and guidelines on the agencies' federal or state obligations affecting American Indians. 

Statutory Duties Include:

• Coordination of intergovernmental dealings between tribal governments and the state;
• Investigating the needs of Indians in Colorado;
• Cooperating with and securing the assistance local, state, and federal governments in formulating and coordinating programs regarding Indian affairs;
• Reviewing legislation and amendments to existing legislation affecting Indians;
• Studying the existing status of recognition of Indian groups, tribes, and communities;
• Contracting with public or private bodies to provide services and facilities for promoting the welfare of the Indian people;
• Making legislative recommendations; and
• Making and publishing reports on findings and recommendations.

2005-2006 Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs Bi-Annual Report

2004-2005 Colorado Directory of American Indian Resources

Ernest House, Jr. serves as the CCIA Executive Secretary within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. For further information on CCIA, please contact Ernest by phone at (303) 866-3027, fax (303) 866-5469, or by email.