SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of History Colorado, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in its inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

Human remains representing, at least, 22 individuals have been identified. A total of two lots of associated funerary objects are present in case 357 and 384. The individuals were transferred to History Colorado from the offices of multiple county coroners. Provenience information is minimal or absent for all individuals. Based on available information, the individuals have been determined to be likely Native American and archaeological in age. The individuals are reported to originate from locations within the present-day boundaries of Colorado. Specifically the Four Corners and Southwest region of Colorado. Including the counties of Alamosa, Archuleta, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Rio Grande, Saguache, San Juan, and San Miguel. No known hazardous substances were used in the treatment or preservation of the human remains.

• OAHP Case 352—From Montezuma County. One Ancestor. No funerary objects.
• OAHP Case 357—From La Plata County. Two Ancestors. The associated funerary objects are one lot of gray ware sherds.
• OAHP Case 372—From Costilla County. One Ancestor. No funerary objects.
• OAHP Case 384—From Montezuma County. 14 Ancestors. The associated funerary objects are one lot of worked faunal bone and lithics.
• OAHP Case 385—From Alamosa County. One Ancestor. No funerary objects.
• OAHP Case—From Southwest Colorado. County of origin is unknown. Potentially from the Mesa Verde area. Three Ancestors. No funerary objects.

Cultural Affiliation

Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical location of the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice.

Determinations

History Colorado has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of 22 individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The two lots of objects described in this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony.
• There is a connection between the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado; Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation, Utah; and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

Requests for Repatriation

Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by:

1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice.

2. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation.

Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after August 31, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, History Colorado must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not competing requests. History Colorado is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and any other consulting parties.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.

91 FR 48424