Ute

The very name ‘Ute,’ means "high land" or "land of the sun." Ute legend suggests that the Ute Indians have always lived in New Mexico. They formerly occupied the entire central and west portions of Colorado and the east portion of Utah, including Salt Lake valley. Their rock art suggests a long history of hunting and gathering in the Rocky Mountain Region. The Utes were never a unified group. Instead, the Utes consisted of numerous nomadic people that maintained close associations with other neighboring groups. Some of the larger groups include the Uncompahgre, Moache, Capote, Uintah, White River, Pahvant, Moanumts, Timanogots, San Pitch, Sheberetch and Weeminuche. Unlike many other tribal groups in this region, there is evidence of migration to the areas now known as Colorado and Utah.