A 20-year-old man has been charged with careless driving following the death of Ernest House Sr., a former chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of Colorado.

House, 65, was killed on Saturday after his motorcycle was struck head-on by a vehicle driven by Natoniba Dance. Authorities say Dance's careless driving caused the accident.

House led his tribe for four terms as chairman. His most recent term ended in 2010.

“He loved this community,” his son, Ernest House Jr., told The Cortez Journal. “I think he was a leader, not only here, but statewide and nationwide. He advocated for tribal issues, not just for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, but for Native American people in general.”

Funeral services take place this Saturday on the reservation.

Get the Story:
Former Ute Mountain official dies in accident (The Cortez Journal 9/20)
Ernest House Sr. dies in motorcycle accident, praised for leadership of Ute Mountain Ute tribe (The Denver Post 9/20)

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Ernest House, former Ute Mountain Ute chairman, passes at 65 (9/19)