Colusa Indian Community Brings 519 Acres Into Federal Trust

Wortham Property of 519 Acres Joins Existing Rancheria Trust Lands of the Colusa Indian Community, Marking a New Era of Tribal Sovereignty, Self-Sufficiency, and Economic Growth for Future Generations

COLUSA, Calif., Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians proudly announces a historic milestone as the Wortham Property joins the Tribe's existing Rancheria trust lands, strengthening its sovereign land base and opening new opportunities for economic development, self-sufficiency, and long-term prosperity. This significant achievement reinforces the Tribe's commitment to protecting its sovereignty, expanding economic independence, and building a sustainable future for generations to come.

Moving land into trust is part of the Colusa Indian Community's longstanding effort to bring its ancestral homeland back under Tribal control. Expanding the Tribe's land base reflects the commitment of Tribal leadership to reclaiming ancestral homelands for Tribal members and to continued investment in economic development that improves quality of life for all Tribal members.

"Having our future in our own hands has been our Tribe's priority for generations. Our elders fought for what we have today, and every acre we bring back into trust carries that forward. This took years of work by our Council and staff, and persistence through every study, review, and filing the process required," said Wayne R. Mitchum, Jr., Chairman of the Colusa Indian Community.

The Wortham Property borders the Tribe's existing trust lands. The Tribe's plans for the site include various economic development projects and ecological land restoration plans.

"Bringing this land into trust means we can extend our sovereignty into hundreds of acres of our ancestral territory. We thank our partners at the Bureau of Indian Affairs for working with us to see it through," said Chairman Mitchum.

With HEARTH Act approval from the Department of the Interior earlier this year, the Tribe can now make its own leasing decisions on this and the rest of its trust land, so projects move forward on its timeline without waiting for federal lease approval. Colusa demonstrates how Tribal Nations can be strong partners in America's economic growth, creating jobs, investing in infrastructure, and building lasting prosperity for their communities and the surrounding region.

The Colusa Indian Community thanks the Bureau of Indian Affairs staff who helped bring this land into trust:

• Pacific Regional Office: Acting Regional Director Ryan Hunter, Acting Deputy Regional Director for Trust Services Harley Long, and Regional Environmental Protection Specialists Jacilyn Snyder and Jennifer Hayden
• Central Office: Johnna Blackhair, Deputy Bureau Director for Trust Services; Trina Locke, Director of Environmental and Natural Resources; and Carla Clark, Chief, Division of Real Estate Services
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs: Assistant Secretary William "Billy" Kirkland

About Colusa Indian Community
The Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community is a federally recognized Tribe of Wintun (Patwin) people located on the Colusa Rancheria in Colusa County, California. Governed by the Colusa Indian Community Council, the Tribe invests in energy, healthcare, education, and infrastructure that strengthen Tribal sovereignty for generations to come. Learn more at www.colusa-nsn.gov.

About Colusa Indian Energy
Colusa Indian Energy (CIE) is a Tribally chartered LLC, wholly owned by the Colusa Indian Community in Northern California, and the only Tribally owned microgrid developer in the country. CIE delivers turnkey energy infrastructure, including microgrids, solar, storage, and generation, designed for speed, scalability, and long-term performance. Learn more at www.colusaindianenergy.com.

Media Contact
Nicole Buchanan
Director of Business Development and Customer Relations
nbuchanan@colusaindianenergy.com
541-844-9353

SOURCE Colusa Indian Energy