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t, tance of the Indian water rights issue, and the federal government's need to fulfill its obligation to the tribes. Dolores Project construction started in 1980 and the first water was delivered to Cortez and surrounding areas some six years later. But the Utes still had to wait. In fact, it was not until 1990 that treated drinking water reached the reservation through a 20 -mile pipeline constructed by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. It was an emotional experience when the tap was turned and water started flowing, recalls Ernest House Sr., tribal chairman at the time. "It's a very different feeling when you actually see water come out of a faucet," he says, "It's a great feeling." House, who intermittently served as chairman for half his 20 years on the tribal council, says he knows his grandfather, Chief Jack House, also would have been pleased. The last of the traditional chiefs, Jack House is credited with recognizing the importance of regaining the tribe's water rights and dedicating his energy toward that goal until his death in 1971. But the wait wasn't over yet. The Utes were still awaiting the water allo- cated to them for agricultural irrigation. Specifically, they were awaiting 23,200 acre -feet of water promised to irrigate some 7,600 sagebrush acres south of Towaoc. It was 1999 by the time the tribe received its full measure of water deliv- ered through a clay -lined canal extending 41 miles south from McPhee Reservoir. At last, the tribe's first major agricultural venture could become fully operational. "Everything is irrigated. We couldn't do it without irrigation," says Paul Evans, who for a dozen years has served as general man- ger of the Ute Mountain Farm and Ranch Enterprise. Divided into farming and ranch- ing operations, the enterprise employs 16 full-time and five seasonal employees. Sales of crops and cattle supplement years for the farm. "You have to heep facing the same problems again and again." Paul Evans (right) has been managing the Farm and Ranch Enterprise for more than a dozen years. According to Evans, one of the tribe's main goals for the enterprise is to provide opportunities for local youth. the tribe's revenues from its other natural resources including oil, natural gas, and grazing. The tribe also operates a casino, RV park, truck stop, pottery factory out- let, and tribal park. Most recent figures indicate that the tribe generates about 900 jobs, making the Utes the second - largest employer in the area. Evans says the farm truly is "state -of- the- art " — although he's reluctant to use that term because, "I don't want to sound like I'm bragging." The farm features 110 center -pivot sprinkler irrigation systems, ranging in size from 40 to 140 acres, operated by the force of gravity -fed water. It employs the latest in modern technology including geographic positioning satellites, computerized links with fields, radio - controlled irrigation sys- tems and weather stations. All are integrated into a centralized control center at the Farm and Ranch Enterprise headquarters. Evans says the tribal council set two equally important goals for the Farm and Ranch Enterprise: to be a successful and profitable business, and to provide oppor- tunities for youth. The tribe numbered almost 2,000 members according to 1999 census results, most in their twenties or younger and living in Towaoc on the res- ervation. Providing meaningful jobs —and careers —for these young Utes has impli- cations for the future success of the tribe that go beyond profits. The intent, according to Evans, is for tribal members to eventually take over the entire enterprise. "They want us to work ourselves out of a job," he explains. And operations have been successful—includ - ing earning the tribe the second- highest honors in the nation last year for its Ute Mountain Gold variety of sweet corn. "I'm very positive about the Farm and Ranch Enterprise," says former tribal chairman House. "It has been very o d and fruitful for the tribe." is ` �:➢:ttr�'