Sky Ute Casino resort construction has begun
Construction has begun on the new Sky Ute Casino resort, whose plans call for up to 150 hotel rooms and 700 slot machines. The Southern Ute Tribe began working on the resort last month on a 60-acre parcel between Colorado Highway 172 and County Road 517. Casino general manager Matt Olin expected the new resort to employ 400 to 600 people when it is complete and to create hundreds of construction jobs during the next two years. Olin would not disclose the cost for the hotel and casino. No tribal money will be spent on the casino, Olin said. Instead it will be paid for by a bond issue, and the casino will use profits to repay the bond, he said. The resort will feature a casino with about 700 slot machines and 20 table games, a 24-lane bowling alley, 18,000 square feet of banquet facilities, outdoor miniature golf, restaurants, a 300,000-square-foot pool and indoor lazy river. 
The casino floor will be alcohol-free to comply with tribal regulations, although exceptions could be made for special events. Half of all proceeds from any alcohol sales would be donated to alcohol treatment and prevention, Olin said. The banquet and conference center, when complete, will hold up to 1,700 people. “With a facility like this, we’ll be able to attract major boxing events, rodeos, concerts and conferences,” said Ben Fernandez, who is responsible for bringing special events to the casino. “We’re very excited that Durango and especially Ignacio can now go after these kinds of events.”