The Southern Ute Tribe of Colorado will take control of an Indian Health Service clinic after settling a lawsuit against the federal government.

The tribe wanted to enter into a self-determination contract for the Southern Colorado Ute Service Unit. The IHS refused to negotiate, saying there wasn't enough money to pay contract support costs.

A federal judge sided with the tribe in June 2007 but little headway was made until President Barack Obama came on board, an attorney for the tribe said. "I think the new administration has been better to deal with than the previous administration," Steven Boos told The Durango Herald.

The tribe expects to take over the clinic by October 1.

Get the Story:
Southern Utes gain control of clinic (The Durango Herald 9/25)

Court Decision:
Southern Ute Tribe v. Leavitt (June 15, 2007)

Supreme Court Decision in Cherokee Nation v. Leavitt:
Syllabus | Opinion [Breyer] | Concurrence [Scalia]

Related Stories:
Colorado tribe wins contract support cost dispute (6/22)