# Indian Energy Service Center; Receipt of Tribal Energy Resource Agreement for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado
**AGENCY:**
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
**ACTION:**
Notice.
**SUMMARY:**
This notice advises the public that the Department of the Interior (DOI) received a final proposed Tribal Energy Resource Agreement (TERA) for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado (Tribe) to enter into energy-related leases, business agreements, and rights-of-way on Tribal lands, at the Tribe's discretion and without further Secretary's review and approval.
**DATES:**
Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before March 23, 2026.
**ADDRESSES:**
Send your written comments regarding the final proposed TERA, or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews related to the final proposed TERA, to:
• *Email: [email protected]* .
• *Mail:* 13922 Denver West Parkway, STE350, Lakewood, CO 80401.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Ms. Johnna Blackhair, Deputy Bureau Director, Office of Trust Services, Washington, DC 20240, (202) 809-2069.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
The Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act of 2005, as amended by the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2017, authorizes Tribes, at their discretion, to apply for and enter into TERAs with the Secretary. A TERA allows Tribes to enter and manage energy-related leases, business agreements, and rights-of-way on Tribal land under 25 CFR part 224.
On January 30, 2026, the Secretary received a final proposed TERA from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado.
• *Final Proposed TERA:* The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) is considering a final proposed TERA for approval or disapproval and is requesting public comment.
• *NEPA:* The Secretary is conducting review under NEPA and is requesting public comment.
**Final Proposed TERA**
The Secretary must approve or disapprove a final proposed TERA within 270 days of the Secretary's receipt of a complete application for a TERA, *see* 25 CFR 224.74. An original proposed TERA is the TERA submitted with the application. After determining that a TERA application is complete, the Secretary must take certain steps in accordance with 25 CFR 224.57, after which the Tribe may submit a final proposed TERA. A final proposed TERA is effective on the date of signature by the Secretary, *see* 224.75; or if the Secretary fails to approve or disapprove a final proposed TERA within 270 days, the TERA takes effect on the 271st day after the Secretary's receipt of a complete application from a qualified Tribe, *see* 25 CFR 224.74. As required under 25 CFR 224.68, the Secretary will review and consider public comments in deciding to approve or disapprove the final proposed TERA.
**Request for Public Comment**
Please see the *ADDRESSES* section for methods to comment on a final proposed TERA. Please see the *FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT* for how to request and receive copies of or participate in any NEPA reviews, related to approval of the final proposed TERA.
**Authority**
The authority for this notice is 25 CFR part 224, the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act of 2005, as promulgated in Title V of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58, 25 U.S.C. 3501-3504, and as amended by the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2017, Public Law 115-325.
William Henry Kirkland, III,
Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.