BLM Office Plans Return of Tools Baskets and Sandals
Published Date: 7/15/2026
Notice
Summary
The Bureau of Land Management in Montrose, Colorado, plans to return important Native American cultural items like tools, baskets, and sandals taken from tribal lands to the rightful tribes or descendants. If no one claims these items by July 15, 2027, they’ll be considered unclaimed and handled accordingly. This process starts on August 14, 2026, giving tribes a clear chance to reclaim their heritage.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation priority to three Ute tribes
The Bureau of Land Management intends to return one lot of cultural items (including lithic tools, baskets, yucca sandal fragments, projectile points, groundstones, and related materials) taken from Delta County archaeological site 5DT813 ("Eagle Rock Shelter") to the lineal descendants or the Indian Tribes that have priority. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe are named as having priority for disposition; disposition may occur on or after August 14, 2026.
Claim deadline and unclaimed-item rule
Anyone wishing to claim the cultural items must send a written claim by July 15, 2027, to Natalie Clark, Deputy Preservation Officer, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado State Office, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506 (email: [email protected]). If no claim is received by July 15, 2027, the cultural items will become unclaimed cultural items, and disposition may occur on or after August 14, 2026.
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