How this tribe survives in Colorado's worst drought region with as little as 10% of its hard-won water supply

Ute Mountain Ute irrigation manager Michael Vicente tells how ... — Ute Mountain Ute irrigation manager Michael Vicente on June 29, 2022, tells how he recorded temperatures as high as 107 degrees on the Utes’ farmland last year south of Towaoc, the tribal capital. (Photo by Bill Hatcher/Special to The Denver Post)

By Bruce Finley | bfinley@denverpost.com | The Denver Post

PUBLISHED: July 10, 2022 at 6:00 AM MDT | UPDATED: July 10, 2022 at 9:34 AM MDT

Getting your player ready...

The Utes are surviving, for now, by relying on a unique asset: a mill built in 2014 where tribal crews de-husk, grind and package all the corn they can harvest.

Already have an account

This article is only available to subscribers

4th of July Sale

Standard Digital

$2 for 2 years

Offer valid for non-subscribers only

Most Popular

Aspen Acres fire grows by 13,000 acres, Bishop Castle still standing
Aspen Acres fire grows by 13,000 acres, Bishop Castle still standing
Looks like Victor Marx will win, putting Colorado back into late-night punchlines (��ap)
Looks like Victor Marx will win, putting Colorado back into late-night punchlines (��ap)
How Phil Weiser connected with voters to defeat Michael Bennet in the Democratic primary for governor
How Phil Weiser connected with voters to defeat Michael Bennet in the Democratic primary for governor
Colorado wildfires: Aspen Acres fire 13% contained, new evacuations for Willow fire near Leadville
Colorado wildfires: Aspen Acres fire 13% contained, new evacuations for Willow fire near Leadville
Fourth of July 2026: Fireworks displays across metro Denver
Fourth of July 2026: Fireworks displays across metro Denver
Colorado mourns as four mega-fires rage across the state (Editorial)
Colorado mourns as four mega-fires rage across the state (Editorial)
Colorado wildfires grow by 41 square miles on hot, dry Fourth
Colorado wildfires grow by 41 square miles on hot, dry Fourth
Victor Marx maintains lead in Colorado GOP governor primary with few votes remaining
Victor Marx maintains lead in Colorado GOP governor primary with few votes remaining
Aspen Acres fire roars across 27 square miles in less than a day, now 8th largest in Colorado history
Aspen Acres fire roars across 27 square miles in less than a day, now 8th largest in Colorado history
LeBron James considering Nuggets as free agency destination, Rich Paul confirms
LeBron James considering Nuggets as free agency destination, Rich Paul confirms

��ap

Breaking News

Colorado wildfires: Aspen Acres fire 13% contained, new evacuations for Willow fire near Leadville

How this tribe survives in Colorado’s worst drought region with as little as 10% of its hard-won water supply

“A lot of reckoning” as Colorado low water flows imperil farming and ranching

Standard Digital

More in Environment

Colorado wildfires: Aspen Acres fire 13% contained, new evacuations for Willow fire near Leadville

Colorado wildfires grow by 41 square miles on hot, dry Fourth

Fire shelters are a key defense for firefighters. But they don’t guarantee survival

Crews gain containment on 2 Colorado wildfires as others continue to grow

����ap

Standard Digital

Share this:

More in Environment

��ap