The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe owns and operates the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel in Towaoc, Colorado. Photo: Ute Mountain Casino Hotel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 24, 2020

UTE MOUNTAIN CASINO HOTEL TEMPORARILY CLOSES TO ASSIST WITH PREVENTION OF COVID-19 SPREAD TO GUESTS AND TRIBAL COMMUNITY

Hotel and casino now closed, tentatively set to re-open in April 2020; Travel Centers in Towaoc and White Mesa remain open for travelers, long haul truck drivers

Towaoc, Colorado (March 24, 2020) – In response to the growing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and to assist with local tribal prevention efforts, Ute Mountain Casino Hotel has temporarily closed operation of its hotel and casino services. However, ExxonMobil Ute Mountain Travel Centers in Towaoc and White Mesa, which are also operated under the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel, will remain open, offering vital services for travelers and long-haul truck drivers along U.S. Highways 491 and 160.

Ute Mountain Casino Hotel Closure

At the recommendation of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal council, the gaming facility, located in Towaoc, Colorado, ceased operations of its casino, 90-room hotel and food and beverage outlets mid-day on Wednesday, March 18. All services and operations are scheduled to reopen tentatively in April. 

Ute Mountain Casino currently employs more than 400. Employees will not be impacted by the temporary closure and all are due to return when the property reopens next month.

“We are closely monitoring what is happening at a state, regional, tribal and national level with regards to COVID-19 and its impact on our citizens and the economy. While it has been a difficult decision, without question, it is what is necessary to ensure the safety of the tribal members, guests and our team members. Their safety, well-being and livelihood remain our priority,” said General Manager, Rick Scheer. “We look forward to re-opening at full-capacity and will continue to support our employees and local community during this time.”

Ute Mountain Tribal Chairman, Manuel Heart added, “As a community and tribe we had to collectively make swift and proactive efforts to safeguard everyone and help prevent the virus from further spreading and hurting people,” said Heart. “By temporarily suspending gaming and closing the hotel, we’re helping to do our part to curtail the spread of the virus and minimize the impact to our community and beyond.”  

During the closure, the Tribal Council also encourages the public to support each other by staying at home, practicing social distancing and adhering to local and national health official guidelines on hygiene.

“This is the time when ‘community’ really means something and it’s what will help to keep us safe. We all have to work to do it together,” said Heart.

For more information about Ute Mountain Casino Hotel, please call 1-800-258-8007.

Travel Centers Remain Open

Practicing social-distancing and limiting guests to 10 at a time, the full-service ExxonMobil Travel Centers located in Towaoc and White Mesa will remain open. The Travel Center in Towaoc will be open 24/7, while the White Mesa Travel Center will open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and – beginning March 29 – from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

The Travel Centers serve as pitstops for travelers and are vital resources for long-haul truck drivers along U.S. Highways 491 and 160. The facilities offer on-site amenities such as showers, a laundry room, a trucker’s lounge, a convenience store, Wi-fi, regular and diesel fuel and the restaurant Charlie Biggs, which will serve to-go orders only. To show appreciation and offer a little comfort, the Travel Centers will offer complimentary coffee to all truck drivers during this time.

“Let’s remember that our nation’s truck drivers are also essential employees,” said Ute Mountain Casino Hotel General Manager Rick Scheer. “They are on the roads for days at a time away from their families, making sacrifices to ensure that our country has the necessary goods to function and continue as we cope with this pandemic. Our Ute Mountain Travel Centers will remain open and continue to do what we can to ensure their comfort.”

For more information on the Travel Centers, visit https://www.utemountaincasino.com/travel-center/.

About Ute Mountain Casino Hotel

Beneath the expansive western sky in Colorado lies the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel, the State’s first Tribal gaming facility and your Four Corners Connection! Nestled in the shadow of the legendary Sleeping Ute Mountain and just 20 minutes from the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel and Resort offers Southwestern hospitality, friendly faces, great food and lots of gaming excitement! The Hotel has 90 rooms including suites with an indoor swimming pool, hot tub and state-of-the-art workout facility to enjoy. Live Table games from Blackjack to Roulette and all the latest and greatest Slots. There is also a large Bingo Hall and area favorite Kuchu’s restaurant on premises. Sleeping Ute RV Park and a full-service 24-hour Travel Center including fuel/diesel and a convenience store are located right next door. Groups welcome! Connect with us on Facebook and at:  www.utemountaincasino.com.

###