President Bush signs Trust Legislation

On Tuesday, August 2,2005, President George W. Bush signed legislation authorizing the United States to take into trust 1465 acres of land belonging to the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, for inclusion in the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site.

This area, the former Dawson Ranch, is a significant portion of the lands authorized by Congress as part of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site.  The 1465 acres were purchased privately in 2002 and later deeded to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. 

The President's signing follows the recent passage of Senate Bill 57 and it's companion, House Bill 481. Successfully sponsoring this legislation were Colorado Senator Wayne Allard and Colorado Representative Marilyn Musgrave.

Pending Tribal resolution and conveyance of a deed, the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site will move one major step closer to establishment.