January 7, 2026.
The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe imposed an 8pm-6am stay-at-home advisory, curfew and roadblocks controlling access into Towaoc, Colorado, White Mesa, Utah and from New Mexico.
Sighting concerns about on-going violence the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council voted five to one to pass a resolution implementing the curfew on January 2.
People are told to be in their homes unless they have a reason not to be that qualifies under exemptions listed in the resolution.
All Vehicles traveling on the reservation are subject to search 24 hours a day.
This response follows months of violence on the reservation.
In December 2024 a 7-year-old Ute boy was shot to death while in bed in Towaoc at night.
In August 2025 a woman was shot to death while sitting in a car in Towaoc.
In December it was rumored that two women were stabbed.
The curfew resolution provides for increasing fines for people who repeatedly violate the order, with a first offense results in a $150 fine. The fines and penalties grow for multiple offensives. People that are not Native American Tribal Members will be removed and federal charges will be requested.
Tribe Exemptions are provided for essential employees traveling to their workplace, people traveling because of an emergency, emergency workers, law-enforcement personnel, security, and state and federal employees who are on duty.
The order states the curfew will remain in place until a further order by the council.
In the meantime it is business as usual at the Ute Mountain Ute Casino and Resort with plans in place to upgrade their line cooks training and quality of food.
Today they announced that Jayden Bigler will bring his Michelin and Casino training to Ute Mountain Casino and Hotel.
General manager Alan Paschal announced the hire by stating, “Our extensive search has culminated in finding a chef who has the experience to thrill our daily customers as well as lead us into new heights of culinary excitement. Jayden has excelled in both fine-tuned fine dining as well as creative and accessible food in hotels and casinos.”
For two years, Jayden was the Sous Chef at Daniel Boulud-owned Le Pavillon in New York, New York. There, he learned Michelin techniques and executed them with the team he led. Eventually, he rose to become the Executive Head Chef at Wildhorse Resort and Casino in Pendleton, Oregon. This property gave him oversight over everything from a fine-dining restaurant to a café and even buffet tables.
Jayden is very proud of the youth culinary programs he led in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America while serving as Executive Sous Chef at The Compound in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
When asked what Jayden hoped to bring to Ute Mountain Casino and Hotel, he commented, “I hope to build on the great reputation I’ve inherited and then advance forward into new territory. Kuchu’s already has great momentum, and I’d love to see what we can do for our banquets and special events. Stay tuned!”
The casino and resort , along with the travel center are open. This area of the reservation always has 24-hour Security Staff on-site.
