Indian Tribes Welcome Ruling On Sovereignty

DENVER (AP) - A coalition of Indian tribes is welcoming a Colorado court ruling that tribes cannot be held in contempt for not responding to administrative subpoenas from the state in civil cases.

The Native American Lending Alliance says Monday's ruling by a Denver District Court judge means that tribal immunity has no territorial boundaries.

The ruling stemmed from subpoenas the state had issued following consumer complaints about certain payday businesses. The businesses turned out to be connected to federal tribes.

The Colorado Attorney General's office is reviewing the court opinion and determining how to proceed. The tribes involved include the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and the Santee Sioux Nation.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)