Traffic safety messaging partnership with the Ute Mountain Community

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for American Indians in the U.S., and on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation, with Tribal members being over-represented in injuries and fatalities on state roadways throughout southwestern Colorado. According to data from the Colorado State Patrol, impaired and distracted driving are contributing factors throughout this part of the state, much like in other parts of Colorado.

Working in partnership with Ute Mountain Planning and Development Director Bernadette Cuthair; Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Visual Communications Representative Sonya Cuthair; CDOT District 5 PIO Lisa Schwantes; and Major Rob Marone, District 5 Commander (Colorado State Patrol), new traffic safety messages were recently created for two highly visible billboards on the Reservation, located on US 491 and at the intersection of US 160 and US 140.

US 491 passes to the east of the Tribe's namesake, Ute Mountain, and proceeds diagonally to Cortez and Mesa Verde National Park, resulting in significant traffic volume from both local residents and tourists. Both messages were designed to spotlight the beauty of the Reservation and Chimney Rock, while reminding drivers to focus on the road and make safe driving choices, thereby reducing the number of injuries and fatalities on these heavily traveled roadways.