The Ute Chief Spring at the west end of Manitou Avenue near the entrance of the Ute Pass and is one of the five natural springs in the area. According to the plaque its presence acted as a symbol for the Indians to lay down their arms and be peaceful in spirit (the inscription on the Soda Spring in the Spa Building says that no Indian ever wore war paint in this place.) At one time it had competition in the form of the 48ft Ute Geyser opposite but, sadly, this has vanished and the spring remains alone. 

The present statue was commissioned from sculptor, Steve Titus, in 1989.  It replaces a much older one which had been destroyed by the time it was decided to restore the springs. The statue is made from hammered iron, stands approximately 8ft tall and weighs 1,100 pounds. 

We weren't very impressed with the Ute Chief water although it was far from unpleasant.  Another very popular lemonade spring - perhaps because there is so much of it!
 

We visited the Ute Chief again on a perfect Colorado day under a turquoise sky drenched in winter sunshine.  The spring which had been overflowing in September was turned off and on enquiring at the Chamber of Commerce we were informed that the owner of the spring was using the water himself. Perhaps it's going to the bottling plant next door? 

We did, however, discover the site of the Ute Geyser across the road from the spring.