Colorado Museum to Return Four Ancestors to Tribes
Published Date: 7/10/2026
Notice
Summary
History Colorado has finished checking and identifying four Native American ancestors' remains found in various Colorado counties. Starting August 10, 2026, these remains can be returned to the affiliated tribes. This process respects Native American heritage and involves no costs or hazards.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Ancestors Eligible for Repatriation August 10, 2026
History Colorado completed an inventory of human remains representing at least 4 Native American individuals. The remains may be repatriated on or after August 10, 2026 to affiliated tribes or eligible requestors.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Repatriation requests may be submitted by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, any lineal descendant, or any other Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization that shows cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. If competing requests are received, History Colorado will determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests count as a single request.
Remains Origin, Objects, and Safety Findings
The 4 individuals are likely Native American and reported to originate from locations within present-day Colorado (northwest region and listed counties). No associated funerary objects were present, and no known hazardous substances were used in treatment or preservation.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-13936 — Notice of Inventory Completion: History Colorado, Denver, CO
History Colorado has finished checking and identifying 11 Native American human remains found in Colorado. Starting August 10, 2026, these remains can be returned to the affiliated tribes. This process respects Native American heritage and involves no costs or hazards.
Next: 2026-13938 — Notice of Inventory Completion: History Colorado, Denver, CO
History Colorado has finished checking and listing 34 Native American human remains found across many Colorado counties. Starting August 10, 2026, these remains can be returned to the tribes or Native Hawaiian groups connected to them. This process helps honor and respect Native cultures, with no costs or hazards involved.