The term "Ute" can refer to different things depending on the context. Here are some possible meanings:
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Utah Utes: The Utah Utes are the athletic teams that represent the University of Utah. The teams are known as the "Utes" in honor of the Ute Native American tribe, for which the state of Utah is named. The Utes compete in the Pac-12 Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) .
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Ute Native American tribe: The Ute people are Indigenous people of the Ute tribe and culture among the Indigenous peoples of the Great Basin. They had lived in sovereignty in the regions of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. Today, very few Ute people are left, and they primarily live in Utah and Colorado, within three Ute tribal reservations: Uintah-Ouray in northeastern Utah, Southern Ute in Colorado, and Ute Mountain which primarily lies in Colorado, but extends to Utah and New Mexico. The majority of Ute live on these reservations with limited resources compared to their original lands, although some reside off-reservation.
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Ute mascot: The Ute mascot is the symbol of the University of Utahs athletic teams. The mascot is a representation of the Ute Native American tribe, for which the state of Utah is named. The Ute Indian Tribe has agreed to continue allowing sports teams at the University of Utah to compete as “Utes” .
In summary, "Ute" can refer to the University of Utahs athletic teams, the Ute Native American tribe, or the Ute mascot.
