FOUR CORNERS

Ute Mountain Casino Hotel reopens doors amid COVID-19

Noel Lyn Smith
nsmith@daily-times.com
The Ute Mountain Casino Hotel is pictured on Aug. 19 in Towaoc, Colorado. The facility reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members that day then to the public on Aug. 20.
The Ute Mountain Casino Hotel is pictured on Aug. 19 in Towaoc, Colorado. The facility reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members that day then to the public on Aug. 20.
Noel Lyn Smith/The Daily Times
Slot machines inside the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel will undergo frequent cleaning as part of COVID-19 safety measures. The facility in Towaoc, Colorado reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
Slot machines inside the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel will undergo frequent cleaning as part of COVID-19 safety measures. The facility in Towaoc, Colorado reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
Noel Lyn Smith/The Daily Times
Ute Mountain Casino Hotel in Towaoc, Colorado installed thermal imaging devices to check temperatures when entering the facility, which reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
Ute Mountain Casino Hotel in Towaoc, Colorado installed thermal imaging devices to check temperatures when entering the facility, which reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
Noel Lyn Smith/The Daily Times
Tables and booths were reconfigured inside Kuchu's Restaurant at the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel in Towaoc, Colorado. The establishment reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
Tables and booths were reconfigured inside Kuchu's Restaurant at the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel in Towaoc, Colorado. The establishment reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
Noel Lyn Smith/The Daily Times
Ute Mountain Casino Hotel General Manager Rick Scheer answers his phone on Aug. 19 inside the hotel lobby in Towaoc, Colorado.
Ute Mountain Casino Hotel General Manager Rick Scheer answers his phone on Aug. 19 inside the hotel lobby in Towaoc, Colorado.
Noel Lyn Smith/The Daily Times
The Ute Mountain Casino Hotel is using the motto, "Play and Stay Safe," to remind guests about physical distancing and wearing face masks when visiting the facility in Towaoc, Colorado. The establishment reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
The Ute Mountain Casino Hotel is using the motto, "Play and Stay Safe," to remind guests about physical distancing and wearing face masks when visiting the facility in Towaoc, Colorado. The establishment reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
Noel Lyn Smith/The Daily Times
After a hotel room inside the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel is cleaned and inspected, a seal is placed over the keycard lock until a guest enters. The facility in Towaoc, Colorado reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
After a hotel room inside the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel is cleaned and inspected, a seal is placed over the keycard lock until a guest enters. The facility in Towaoc, Colorado reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
Noel Lyn Smith/The Daily Times
A new players club area was built inside the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel during its five-month shutdown. The facility in Towaoc, Colorado reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
A new players club area was built inside the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel during its five-month shutdown. The facility in Towaoc, Colorado reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
Noel Lyn Smith/The Daily Times
Several slot machines have been turned off to ensure that customers keep physical distance from each other inside the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel. The facility in Towaoc, Colorado reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
Several slot machines have been turned off to ensure that customers keep physical distance from each other inside the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel. The facility in Towaoc, Colorado reopened to Ute Mountain Ute tribal members on Aug. 19 then to the public the next day.
Noel Lyn Smith/The Daily Times
Guidelines are outlined on complimentary personal safety items inside a hotel room on Aug. 19 at the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel in Towaoc, Colorado.
Guidelines are outlined on complimentary personal safety items inside a hotel room on Aug. 19 at the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel in Towaoc, Colorado.
Noel Lyn Smith/The Daily Times
Kuchu's Restaurant inside the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel has been reconfigured to follow social distancing guidelines. It is set to reopen soon in Towaoc, Colorado.
Kuchu's Restaurant inside the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel has been reconfigured to follow social distancing guidelines. It is set to reopen soon in Towaoc, Colorado.
Noel Lyn Smith/The Daily Times
The seal of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe is seen on Aug. 19 near the south entrance to the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel in Towaoc, Colorado.
The seal of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe is seen on Aug. 19 near the south entrance to the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel in Towaoc, Colorado.
Noel Lyn Smith/The Daily Times