{"id":128436,"date":"2026-04-10T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/southwest-colorado-to-celebrate-life-of-ben-nighthorse-campbell-next-week\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T05:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T11:00:00","slug":"southwest-colorado-to-celebrate-life-of-ben-nighthorse-campbell-next-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/southwest-colorado-to-celebrate-life-of-ben-nighthorse-campbell-next-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest Colorado to celebrate life of Ben Nighthorse Campbell next week"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p><div class=\"naviga-social-embed\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CEgw2t5O4Dg?si=Gu85mCBarGYOIzKF\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n<p>A memorial service for Ben Nighthorse Campbell, the groundbreaking Native American U.S. senator from Colorado, will be held next week, just over three months after his death.<\/p>\n<p>Campbell, who died in December at age 92, spent much of his life as a prominent figure and regular newsmaker in Southwest Colorado. His work, both as a citizen and a politician, had far-reaching impacts on the people, places and institutions he touched throughout the Four Corners and nationally.<\/p>\n<p>Born in Auburn, California, Campbell, who was one of 44 chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, became known for his Indigenous advocacy; his legislative record; his influence on public lands, water rights and infrastructure; his award-winning jewelry and art pieces; his success in Olympic judo; and his service in the Korean War, among a range of other impacts.<\/p>\n<p>A memorial service will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday at the Sky Ute Casino Event Center in Ignacio. The event will be livestreamed on <em id=\"emphasis-a9b0e76f4cc28e8e73e01ec14e142239\">The Durango<\/em> <em id=\"emphasis-132d768dd1396962adb99e9190a485e2\">Herald<\/em>\u2019s website at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/\" id=\"link-23447d04a7df221e8eca99dd57f42dfe\" target=\"_blank\">durangoherald.com<\/a>, technology permitting.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a look at some of Campbell\u2019s many accomplishments and his lasting impacts.<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\"><strong>Jewelry and art influence<\/strong><\/div>\n<p>Campbell learned to make jewelry from silver coins flattened on railroad tracks while living in an orphanage in his younger years. He would trade his handmade wares for food and supplies, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/collegefund.org\/blog\/remembering-senator-ben-nighthorse-campbell-northern-cheyenne\/\" id=\"link-822a314ced489990cd22a218b0c3ceb4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American Indian College Fund. <\/a><\/p>\n<p><figure class=\"wp-block-image naviga-inline-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=8569ba99-23d8-58fd-809d-14abe333b669&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=8569ba99-23d8-58fd-809d-14abe333b669&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=800 800w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=8569ba99-23d8-58fd-809d-14abe333b669&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1200 1200w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=8569ba99-23d8-58fd-809d-14abe333b669&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1800 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 2000px\" width=\"1542\" height=\"1028\" alt=\"Jewelry artist Ben Nighthorse Campbell works in his studio in the basement of his La Plata County home in 2011. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)\" class=\"naviga-image\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">Jewelry artist Ben Nighthorse Campbell works in his studio in the basement of his La Plata County home in 2011. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><p>He carried that talent and know-how throughout his life, winning more than 200 awards for his art pieces and working with a range of prominent galleries, including Durango\u2019s Toh-Atin Gallery and Sorrel Sky Gallery.<\/p>\n<p>To Campbell, his creations were \u201can extension of what the creator wills,\u201d according to Sorrel Sky\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/sorrelsky.com\/collections\/ben-nighthorse?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21206291915&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADQOSvvOChy5y8ubrn69WCNGj8thY&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwnN3OBhA8EiwAfpTYeqoNcb2sTwXGSmd9oc06ATWppOfDdKwCBnV0zXdbNFWcEfspTInhhhoCzg0QAvD_BwE\" id=\"link-6d53476019db9cb102f8e4e6895cc190\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">biography page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>His art pieces \u2013 all of which are stamped with the \u201cMorning Star,\u201d a prominent Native American Cheyenne symbol \u2013 feature influences from Asian culture, which he picked up from his time living in Tokyo.<\/p>\n<p>His art pieces often feature depictions of horses, which serve as a nod to his and his wife\u2019s background as champion horse trainers and the Native American belief that a person can inherit some of an animal\u2019s virtues by wearing an image of it, the Sorrel Sky Gallery website described.<\/p>\n<p>Gallery Manager Masha Halavach, who knew and worked with Campbell for over a decade, said she has watched people travel from across the country to see his jewelry and \u201cexchange a few words with him.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\">Air Force and military involvement<\/div>\n<p>Campbell dropped out of Placer High School in 1951 to join the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed in Korea as an air policeman.<\/p>\n<p>By the time he left the force in 1953, he held the rank of Airman Second Class, and walked away with the Korean Service Medal and the Air Medal.<\/p>\n<p>He obtained his GED while in the Air Force and used his G.I. Bill to attend San Jose State University when he was discharged. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and Fine Arts.<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\">An accomplished horse trainer<\/div>\n<p>Campbell and wife Linda were known as renowned breeders and trainers of champion quarter horses out of their Ignacio ranch.<\/p>\n<p>Sorrel Sky Gallery <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coloradohomesmag.com\/celebrating-ben-nighthorse-campbell\/\" id=\"link-f1c535af24052c5003bbff26a9e5460c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">described<\/a> Campbell as someone who \u201cunderstood horses from multiple perspectives: as a breeder, a rider, a cultural symbol, and a subject for artistic exploration.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><figure class=\"wp-block-image naviga-inline-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=21c45254-5822-5a19-a38a-a0baca8f3f53&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=21c45254-5822-5a19-a38a-a0baca8f3f53&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=800 800w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=21c45254-5822-5a19-a38a-a0baca8f3f53&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1200 1200w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=21c45254-5822-5a19-a38a-a0baca8f3f53&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1800 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 2000px\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1329\" alt=\"Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell works in the Senate Chamber on Sept. 27, 2004, during his last months in office. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)\" class=\"naviga-image\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell works in the Senate Chamber on Sept. 27, 2004, during his last months in office. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\">A controversial politician<\/div>\n<p>Campbell was a controversial figure in the political realm. He first was elected to the U.S. House in 1986 and twice reelected. He was later elected to the U.S. Senate as a member of the Democratic Party. Two years into his term, he switched party affiliation following disputes over a lack of fiscal restraint exhibited in Democratic Party\u2019s policies.<\/p>\n<p>It drew criticism from Democratic Party members. Criticism of Campbell was also laundered by environmental organizations over his support for the Animas-La Plata Project.<\/p>\n<p>An ad campaign he modeled for with Banana Republic never ran after environmentalists across the nation, led by Georgetown Law Professor Jonathan Turley, threatened to boycott the company.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHere\u2019s the thing \u2013 I think it\u2019s fair for people to say that Ben may have had positions they don\u2019t agree with,\u201d said Jack Turner, a friend of the family. \u201cI didn\u2019t agree with all his positions \u2013 but I find it really disheartening if I hear that people didn\u2019t like him as a person. He was a good person.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\">Smithsonian\u2019s National Museum of the American Indian<\/div>\n<p>As a U.S. senator, Campbell introduced the first draft of the legislation that would go on to create the Smithsonian\u2019s National Museum of the American Indian. The museum now acts as steward to 800,000 items from Indigenous cultures across the Western Hemisphere.<\/p>\n<p>In an interview with the museum a year before his death, Campbell said, \u201cIf I ever wanted to be remembered for one single thing above all others, it would be that museum \u2013 because I am a firm believer that you can\u2019t have a good future unless you learn from the past.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\">Four Corners Motorcycle Rally<\/div>\n<p><figure class=\"wp-block-image naviga-inline-image naviga-align-center aligncenter naviga-size-large\" data-naviga-align=\"center\" data-naviga-size=\"large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=83e7cf36-2542-5647-b2d9-9def24c9084e&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=83e7cf36-2542-5647-b2d9-9def24c9084e&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=800 800w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=83e7cf36-2542-5647-b2d9-9def24c9084e&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1200 1200w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=83e7cf36-2542-5647-b2d9-9def24c9084e&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1800 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 2000px\" width=\"1800\" height=\"2565\" alt=\"Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell at the 2004 Iron Horse Motorcycle Rally in Durango. (Durango Herald file)\" class=\"naviga-image\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell at the 2004 Iron Horse Motorcycle Rally in Durango. (Durango Herald file)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><p>The Four Corners Motorcycle Rally, originally called the Iron Horse Motorcycle Rally, was founded in the early 1990s by Campbell, along with wife Linda and Mike Lovato. The event, which originally took place in Ignacio before moving to Durango, is said to be the longest-running motorcycle rally in Colorado.<\/p>\n<p>Chip Lile, current organizer and co-owner of the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally, said Campbell helped dispel the stigma surrounding motorcyclists and created a major economic driver for Southwest Colorado.<\/p>\n<p><figure class=\"wp-block-image naviga-inline-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=4ec7c951-7557-4e75-8b1d-105804651dd0&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=4ec7c951-7557-4e75-8b1d-105804651dd0&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=800 800w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=4ec7c951-7557-4e75-8b1d-105804651dd0&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1200 1200w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=4ec7c951-7557-4e75-8b1d-105804651dd0&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1800 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 2000px\" width=\"1540\" height=\"896\" alt=\"Linda Campbell and her husband, former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, wave to the crowd as they cruise down Main Avenue in Durango during the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally Parade in 2016. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)\" class=\"naviga-image\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">Linda Campbell and her husband, former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, wave to the crowd as they cruise down Main Avenue in Durango during the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally Parade in 2016. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><p>\u201cOne of his main objectives (with the rally) was really to dispel that stigma,\u201d he said. \u201c\u2026 In his career as a politician, he rode his Harley-Davidson to the White House and to the Capitol, as a senator, on a regular basis. He was a big advocate of the motorcycle community, and specifically showing that it\u2019s really a strong (group) of people who are part of our community. \u2026 Back in those days, it wasn\u2019t really a popular kind of event to do. \u2026 And within a few years, it was probably the biggest event we\u2019ve ever had in Southwest Colorado.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\">An Olympian and judo champion<\/div>\n<p>Campbell took up judo during his time at San Jose State University in the 1950s, later going on to continue his training at Meiji University in Japan.<\/p>\n<p>He was a three-time U.S. National Judo Champion between 1961 and 1963, and the first Native American on the team. He also won a gold medal in the open class at the 1963 Pan American Games and in 1974 wrote \u201cChampionship Judo: Drill Training.\u201d He later coached the U.S. National Judo Team, operated his own dojo in Sacramento, California, and taught high school physical education.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSenator Campbell\u2019s enduring legacy of independence, leadership, and commitment to others will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude,\u201d USA Judo <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usajudo.com\/news\/2025\/december\/30\/usa-judo-mourns-passing-of-1964-olympian-ben-nighthorse-campbell%20%20\" id=\"link-c3f3d0827386e90a01b14a04c6db0732\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">wrote<\/a> in December in a statement on his death.<\/p>\n<p>He later donated his Olympic flag from the Tokyo Olympics to Purgatory Resort in the 1990s, where it hung in a hotel lobby for years, Turner said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\">The only U.S. senator with a commercial truck driver\u2019s license<\/div>\n<p>Campbell \u201creveled\u201d in being the only U.S. senator to hold a commercial driver\u2019s license, said Greg Fulton, president of the Colorado Motor Carriers Association and a friend of Campbell\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>Fulton discussed Campbell\u2019s truck-driving impact in an opinion piece published in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coloradopolitics.com\/2026\/01\/01\/the-year-the-capitol-christmas-tree-was-delivered-by-a-senator-opinion\/#:~:text=After%20Ben%20was%20elected%20to%20the%20Senate%2C,which%20authorized%20him%20to%20drive%20a%20truck.\" id=\"link-52c26c98b8906f61b5e59ac4c70470ea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em id=\"emphasis-6f2ec4a9db5771dc2aea4b735e873cb6\">Colorado Politics<\/em><\/a> in January.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor Ben, the CDL was a link to his past and also sent the message that he was a regular guy,\u201d Fulton wrote.<\/p>\n<p>Using his CDL, Campbell famously drove the Capitol Christmas tree from Colorado to Washington, D.C., in 2005.<\/p>\n<p>Just before setting off on the 10-day, 2,000 mile trip to deliver the Christmas tree, Campbell delivered an iconic message over the Citizens Band radio, Fulton wrote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBreaker break, you truckers have your ears on?\u201d Campbell reportedly said. \u201cWhat\u2019s your 10-20? This is Nighthorse and Santa Claus and 20 elves delivering a Christmas tree to Washington, D.C., and we\u2019ve got a convoy.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\"><strong>Fort Lewis College<\/strong><\/div>\n<p>Fort Lewis College spokeswoman Nardy Bickel, speaking on behalf of the college, said Campbell\u2019s contributions to FLC \u201cinfluenced generations of Indigenous leaders, artists, and scholars.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><figure class=\"wp-block-image naviga-inline-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=d2d22c28-f820-5380-a458-afc0f59dddc8&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=d2d22c28-f820-5380-a458-afc0f59dddc8&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=800 800w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=d2d22c28-f820-5380-a458-afc0f59dddc8&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1200 1200w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=d2d22c28-f820-5380-a458-afc0f59dddc8&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1800 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 2000px\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1454\" alt=\"Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell sits at a table with children during the dedication of the Fort Lewis College Campbell Child &amp; Family Center in 2004 that was named after him and his wife Linda Campbell. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)\" class=\"naviga-image\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell sits at a table with children during the dedication of the Fort Lewis College Campbell Child &amp; Family Center in 2004 that was named after him and his wife Linda Campbell. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><p>\u201cThrough his leadership in Congress, he helped secure funding for the Campbell Childcare Center, which continues to benefit students today,\u201d she said. \u201cAs a part-time art instructor, he shared his acclaimed work as an Indigenous jeweler with students. He donated his congressional papers and artwork to the Center of Southwest Studies, strengthening the College\u2019s academic, cultural and community legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\">Lake Nighthorse<\/div>\n<p>Lake Nighthorse, developed in 2011 as part of the Animas-La Plata Water Project, was named in honor of Campbell and his work on the project.<\/p>\n<p>Cathy Metz, who was the parks and recreation director during construction of the Animas-La Plata Project, said Campbell brokered much of the project.<\/p>\n<p><figure class=\"wp-block-image naviga-inline-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=5bb5de7d-9b3d-5276-926a-21e5785235f0&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=5bb5de7d-9b3d-5276-926a-21e5785235f0&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=800 800w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=5bb5de7d-9b3d-5276-926a-21e5785235f0&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1200 1200w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=5bb5de7d-9b3d-5276-926a-21e5785235f0&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1800 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 2000px\" width=\"1600\" height=\"996\" alt=\"Lake Nighthorse, photographed in 2018. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)\" class=\"naviga-image\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">Lake Nighthorse, photographed in 2018. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><p>\u201cWater rights are often very complicated, and there\u2019s a lot of different (possible) outcomes, and he did a great job of doing what was necessary in Washington to allow the project to move forward, with funding,\u201d she said. \u201cI know that the community now realizes that it\u2019s such a jewel in the community, to be able to recreate at Lake Nighthorse. Certainly, there was a lot of work done by Ben Nighthorse Campbell.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Animas La Plata Project was in many ways, the crowning achievement of Campbell\u2019s time in Congress. The completed project fulfilled long-standing promises from the U.S. government to grant the Ute Mountain Ute and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe senior water rights by diverting water from the Animas River into Lake Nighthorse.<\/p>\n<p>Approval and funding for the project stalled many times in the House and the Senate, and received strong pushback from environmental groups and fiscal conservatives. It\u2019s approval was in large part due to Campbell as the public figurehead promoting it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was Ben who went on the Senate floor and sold it to the U.S. Senate and got the vote,\u201d said Christine Arbogast, who worked with Campbell as an A-LP lobbyist. \u201cI thought at the time I would never forget this moment. It was remarkable, and it was because of how well he told the story.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\">Southern Ute Indian Tribe<\/div>\n<p>Campbell was a respected friend, neighbor and advocate for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Chairman Melvin Baker said in a written statement to the <em id=\"emphasis-00d012618e7ec5e29caaf44464f1fc16\">Herald<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>He was \u201cinstrumental\u201d in the passage of the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000, which finalized the water rights for the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes and was a \u201cstrong champion\u201d of the A-LP, Baker said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn 2025, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe began accessing water from Lake Nighthorse \u2013 a historic milestone for Tribal water rights in southwestern Colorado and the realization of a vision Senator Campbell and the Tribe worked together for many years,\u201d Baker said.<\/p>\n<p>He also worked as the first general manager of Sky Ute Downs, the Southern Ute Tribe\u2019s indoor arena that serves as a venue for events such as the annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair and Powwow, rodeos, and horse and cattle shows, Baker said.<\/p>\n<p>Through this work, Campbell helped engage tribal members and the surrounding community in ranching and horsemanship, and contributed to the strengthening of cultural connections and shared traditions, Baker said.<\/p>\n<p><figure class=\"wp-block-image naviga-inline-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=39e91098-dc76-547b-b1f3-d1f6f5d1d612&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=39e91098-dc76-547b-b1f3-d1f6f5d1d612&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=800 800w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=39e91098-dc76-547b-b1f3-d1f6f5d1d612&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1200 1200w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=39e91098-dc76-547b-b1f3-d1f6f5d1d612&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1800 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 2000px\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1116\" alt=\"A cartoon illustration of Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell in his office in the Russell Senate Office Building on Sept. 27, 2004, during his last months in office. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)\" class=\"naviga-image\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">A cartoon illustration of Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell in his office in the Russell Senate Office Building on Sept. 27, 2004, during his last months in office. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\">Uplifting Native American history Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site<\/div>\n<p>During his time in Congress, Campbell was responsible for the passage of legislation that championed Native American history as a critical component of American history as a whole.<\/p>\n<p><figure class=\"wp-block-image naviga-inline-image naviga-align-center aligncenter naviga-size-large\" data-naviga-align=\"center\" data-naviga-size=\"large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=6f6ef425-4ffa-582d-9fa1-78c089fb250b&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=6f6ef425-4ffa-582d-9fa1-78c089fb250b&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=800 800w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=6f6ef425-4ffa-582d-9fa1-78c089fb250b&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1200 1200w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=6f6ef425-4ffa-582d-9fa1-78c089fb250b&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1800 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 2000px\" width=\"939\" height=\"1440\" alt=\"Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, seen here in his eagle feather headdress, stands next to Southern Ute tribal member Kenny Frost at the dedication of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site in April 2007. The site\u2019s protection was a direct result of Campbell\u2019s federal legislation. (Courtesy of Andrew Gulliford)\" class=\"naviga-image\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, seen here in his eagle feather headdress, stands next to Southern Ute tribal member Kenny Frost at the dedication of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site in April 2007. The site\u2019s protection was a direct result of Campbell\u2019s federal legislation. (Courtesy of Andrew Gulliford)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><p>It was Campbell who introduced and shepherded the protection and commemoration of the area where about 700 Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho were slaughtered at the hands of the U.S. Cavalry. In 2000, Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site was authorized as a part of the National Park System by Congress in 2000.<\/p>\n<p>He successfully changed the name of Custer Battlefield Monument in Montana to Little Bighorn Battlefield.<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\">Funding for San Juan County<\/div>\n<p>Campbell earmarked $60,000 in Federal funding for the electrical work for the San Juan County Historical Museum and personally donated $50,000 to the Blair Street Historic District Association for various infrastructure improvements.<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\">Durango Airtanker Base<\/div>\n<p>As a senator, Campbell was closely involved in securing $4 million in federal funds to build an air tanker base at the Durango-La Plata County Airport. The base has been an integral component of wildfire containment efforts across Southwest Colorado since it\u2019s creation.<\/p>\n<p>Without the investment, the U.S. Forest Service would not have the capability to protect lives, property and critical infrastructures as quickly and effectively as they do today, said Mike Bryson, Durango Airtanker Base Manager, in a written statement to<em id=\"emphasis-ca4014f73d11494cbd670cb8102955f3\"> The Durango Heral<\/em>d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is instrumental in providing support for firefighters on the ground suppressing wildfires,\u201d Bryson said. \u201cThe quick turnaround of air tankers carrying retardant has proven critical for stopping urban-interface fires that have threatened our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-element naviga-subheadline1\">Support for a National Fire Plan<\/div>\n<p>Campbell supported the creation of a National Fire Plan, and advocated for it\u2019s implementation in Colorado.<\/p>\n<p>Campbell presided over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/107\/chrg\/CHRG-107shrg82710\/CHRG-107shrg82710.pdf\" id=\"link-99c294a8a3cd3c1ec96545d52d050116\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a 2002 congressional hearing<\/a> before the Committee on Energy and National Resources, where his opening statements highlighted the threat of wildfire as one that is rapidly increasing, and transcends state boundaries.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need to continue to prioritize the fire, the mechanism which provide funds to fight fires from the congressional level, but clearly, we don\u2019t seem to be able to prevent them, we seem to be getting worse every year,\u201d he said in his opening statement.<\/p>\n<p>He was a steward of modern fire mitigation techniques like forest thinning and promoted the implementation of those nationwide. He cosigned a concurrent resolution with the Western Governors who had developed a collaborative 10-year strategy for reducing wildlife fire risk to communities and the environment, pushing Congress to provide more support for proactive approaches.<\/p>\n<div class=\"naviga-scoreboard factbox\">\n<h4 class=\"scoreboard-title\">Celebration of life livestream<\/h4>\n<p>A celebration of life for former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Ignacio will be held Monday at the Sky Ute Casino Event Center in Ignacio. Doors for the pre-ceremony will open at noon, and the ceremony will run from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a reception. The ceremony will be livestreamed on T<em id=\"emphasis-eb05bd9c636143eca1a68ddfc1312697\">he Durango Herald\u2019<\/em>s homepage at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">www.durangoherald.com. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em id=\"emphasis-96455241fd4fc10854d9d62bff639d70\"><a href=\"mailto:epond@durangoherald.com\">epond@durangoherald.com<\/a>, <a href=\"mailto:jbowman@durangoherald.com\">jbowman@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><figure class=\"wp-block-image naviga-inline-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=b5981ea8-9da7-54a7-859e-d1a13850af04&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=b5981ea8-9da7-54a7-859e-d1a13850af04&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=800 800w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=b5981ea8-9da7-54a7-859e-d1a13850af04&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1200 1200w, https:\/\/imengine.public.prod.dur.navigacloud.com\/?uuid=b5981ea8-9da7-54a7-859e-d1a13850af04&amp;function=cover&amp;type=preview&amp;source=false&amp;width=1800 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 2000px\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1402\" alt=\"Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell leaves his office and walks down the hallway in the Russell Senate Office Building on Sept. 27, 2004, during his last months in office. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)\" class=\"naviga-image\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell leaves his office and walks down the hallway in the Russell Senate Office Building on Sept. 27, 2004, during his last months in office. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald file)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Memorial service scheduled Monday at Sky Ute Casino <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":128437,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5736,5735],"tags":[6417,255,1820,1583,28,1088,1126,1829,6419],"naviga_topic":[],"class_list":["post-128436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-news","category-news","tag-ben-nighthorse-campbell","tag-death-and-dying","tag-dh-trueanthem","tag-former-u-s-sen-ben-nighthorse-campbell","tag-headlines","tag-instagram","tag-politics-general","tag-tcr-trueanthem","tag-tj-trueanthem"],"acf":[],"author_name":"dh_admin","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128436","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=128436"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128436\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/128437"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128436"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=128436"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=128436"},{"taxonomy":"naviga_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/naviga_topic?post=128436"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}