Ute Indian Museum

Come celebrate the history & the living culture of Colorado's longest continuous residents at the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose, Colorado. The museum offers a stunning building & exhibition connecting the past with contemporary Ute life & culture. Nestled in the heart of traditional Ute territory, the museum was originally built in 1956 near the ranch of Uncompahgre leader Chief Ouray & his wife Chipeta. The museum & grounds are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds include Chief Ouray memorial park, the grave where Chipeta was buried after her death on reservation lands in Utah in 1924, & a native plant garden. The grounds also include picnic areas, walking paths, a memorial to the Spanish conquistadors who traveled through the area in 1776 and links to the city trail system. The museum gift shop offers authentic Native American turquoise & silver jewelry, Native American beadwork, Ute pottery, & great books Native American history & culture.