The Southern Utes are one of the most successful tribes in the United States. In 2009, Vice President Biden reported that 1 percent of the nation's natural gas production comes from the Ute Tribe.

The heart of Ute history lies in the oral tradition and is slowly fading away. Utes: The Mountain People presents the rich panorama of Ute history, from the archaeological features of prehistoric Ute cultures to elements of present-day Ute culture. A wealth of rare and historic photographs of early Utes and important leaders, and an abundance of information on tepee culture, Ute artwork, stories, songs, dances and religious ceremonies, hunting and horsemanship, wars, skirmishes, and treaties make this book a valuable resource for anyone interested in Native American cultures.

Jan Pettit was the executive director of the Ute Pass Museum, and is the founder of the Ute Pass Historical Society. She has worked with Ute people since 1974.