Colorado Plateau people
Published by Naitik Mehta · March 31, 2026
Stuck on the clue Colorado Plateau people from the New York Times Daily for March 31, 2026? We have the correct 3-letter answer, including the definition, alternative hints, as well as other answers from the same crossword. Ready to learn more about this clue?
Clue
Colorado Plateau people (3)
Answer
The answer to Colorado Plateau people is Ute (3 letters).
Why does Ute fit this clue?
This is a direct definition clue where 'Colorado Plateau people' points to UTE, referring to the Ute tribe. The Ute are a Native American people who have historically inhabited the Colorado Plateau region, which spans parts of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. The clue uses geographical context to identify this specific tribal group, as the Ute people have deep ancestral ties to the high desert and mountainous areas of the Colorado Plateau. Today, Ute communities continue to maintain their cultural heritage across several reservations in Colorado and Utah.
What does Colorado Plateau people mean?
We break down each word in the clue and show its dictionary definitions below.
Colorado
noun
•a U.S. state in the western United States
Plateau
noun
•an elevated flat area of land
•specifically the Colorado Plateau, a geological region covering parts of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona
Where did this clue appear?
This clue appeared as 11-across in the New York Times Daily on March 31, 2026, by Ryan Patrick Smith, edited by Will Shortz. See all answers for this puzzle.
Read the NYT Wordplay column for this puzzle.
NYT Daily — Mar 31, 2026
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What does Ute mean?
noun
•A small vehicle based on the same platform as a family car but with a unibody construction and a built-in open tray area for carrying goods; similar but not identical to a pick-up truck.
Origin of the word Ute
•origin: Ute language 'Yutah' meaning 'high up' or 'land of the sun'
•period: pre-Columbian/first recorded in English mid-19th century
The word gave its name to the state of Utah, making it one of the few U.S. states named directly after a Native American tribe.
How to use Ute in a sentence
Here are 3 examples of how to use the word Ute.
•“The Ute people have lived on the Colorado Plateau for centuries, developing a deep understanding of the region's desert landscapes and seasonal patterns.”
•“The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe operates a casino and cultural center to preserve their heritage and support their community.”
•“Traditional Ute beadwork and basketry are displayed in the museum's Native American art collection.”
What are other crossword clues for Ute?
Learn about related clues
All clues from the New York Times Daily, Mar 31, 2026 crossword
The New York Times Daily for March 31, 2026 was published by Ryan Patrick Smith and has 78 clues. Curious about all the answers from this crossword puzzle? View all answers here.
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Frequently asked questions about Colorado Plateau people
- What is the answer to Colorado Plateau people?
- The answer is Ute (3 letters).
- Where did this clue appear?
- This clue was last seen in the New York Times Daily on March 31, 2026.
- How many letters does the answer to Colorado Plateau people have?
- The answer has 3 letters: Ute.
Author
Naitik Mehta
Co-founder
Naitik is a gaming enthusiast who loves solving daily word games and enjoys the friendly competition from time to time. He is the co-founder of Crossword Chef and enjoys thinking about how to make crossword solving more fun for everyone around the world.
Puzzle
NYT Daily — Mar 31, 2026
Get help on the whole puzzle
provider
editor
Will Shortz
date
position
11 Across
answer length
3 letters