July 28, 2026 3:31 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
July 28, 2026 3:31 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
As 2025 came to a close and 2026 began, water issues across Arizona and the Colorado River Basin remained front and center. New reporting highlighted continued uncertainty around Colorado River negotiations, growing concern over snowpack levels, and major developments in local groundwater and community water planning.
Local Groundwater and Community Water Planning
In western Arizona, the Parker Pioneer reports that an Active Management Area is being proposed for the Ranegras Plain. The proposal reflects growing concern over groundwater depletion and signals a shift toward stronger oversight in areas increasingly relied upon as Colorado River supplies tighten.
Meanwhile, years of uncertainty came to an end for residents of Rio Verde Foothills. Multiple Arizona outlets report that permanent water infrastructure is now coming online, including new pipelines and water filling stations. The long-awaited solution brings relief to residents, local businesses, and even animal sanctuaries, while also serving as a cautionary example of what can happen when development moves forward without secure water planning.
Snowpack and Weather Conditions Raise Red Flags
Snowpack remained a major concern across the Basin. Reports from KJZZ, KTAR News, CBS News, AP News, and several California outlets show that while recent storms boosted snowpack in parts of California, overall levels remain below average for this point in the season.
Officials with the Central Arizona Project acknowledged concern about snowpack levels, though they noted it is still early in the water year. Upstream, conditions appear more troubling. Colorado news outlets report historically low snowpack in some regions, while Utah coverage shows Lake Powell has dropped significantly over the past year, underscoring the fragile state of the system.
Late December also brought renewed uncertainty around water infrastructure projects. Coverage from KJZZ, Colorado outlets, and national public media reports on a presidential veto of a major Colorado water pipeline project. The decision disrupted financing for a project already underway and prompted calls from lawmakers to reconsider or override the veto. (more…)
By Ariana Romero
Reporter, CRIT Media
As 2025 comes to a close, new reporting shows Colorado River negotiations narrowing toward what many leaders describe as a final window for agreement, while local water solutions and long-term risks continue to take shape across the Southwest.
ABC15 Arizona reports that Colorado River states may only have one last realistic chance to reach a deal before federal intervention becomes unavoidable. With existing guidelines set to expire and reservoir conditions still fragile, officials warn that failure to compromise soon could lead to decisions being imposed rather than negotiated.
CBS 5 Arizona’s Family highlights what is at stake specifically for Arizona as talks drag on. The report notes that unresolved negotiations could affect everything from water deliveries to long-term planning for cities, tribes, agriculture, and industry, reinforcing why Arizona leaders are under pressure to help move talks forward.
Several opinion pieces stress the need for compromise in the Upper Basin. Phys.org and the Imperial Valley Press argue that without meaningful concessions, negotiations risk collapse, deepening divisions among states and prolonging uncertainty across the Basin.
At the local level, attention turned to Rio Verde Foothills, a community that famously ran out of water. The Arizona Republic, CBS 5, and AZ Big Media report that a permanent water solution has now been secured, ending years of uncertainty. However, the Arizona Republic notes that questions remain about the long-term cost of that solution, underscoring the financial realities of securing water in unregulated areas.
Water policy and development pressures remain closely linked. The Daily Independent reports that Valley water officials are urging legislators to invest more heavily in water resources, while opinion pieces from Nevada question whether the continued expansion of data centers is compatible with long-term water sustainability.
Conditions on the river itself remain mixed. Newsweek reports on how Lake Mead’s water levels changed throughout 2025, showing modest gains at times but continued overall vulnerability. Meanwhile, CBS News warns that Colorado is facing its worst snowpack on record for this point in the season, a troubling signal for future Colorado River flows, though experts say late-season storms could still offer some relief.
Despite tensions, collaboration remains a recurring theme. An opinion from the University of Colorado Boulder notes that Colorado River discussions continue to bring together unlikely partners through forums like the Colorado River Water Users Association, even as disagreements persist. Another Colorado Sun opinion stresses that public access to rivers and responsible stewardship must remain part of broader water policy discussions.
Together, these reports show a Basin approaching a crossroads. With negotiations nearing a critical moment, local water fixes highlighting real costs, and climate signals raising alarm, decisions made in the months ahead will play a major role in shaping the future of the Colorado River.
Sources
As the year comes to a close, new reporting underscores how unresolved negotiations, worsening climate impacts, and continued growth are colliding across the Colorado River Basin.
The Lake Havasu News-Herald reports that federal officials are demanding compromise from Basin states as water shortages deepen. Despite repeated warnings, states remain divided, prompting stronger signals that the federal government may intervene if agreements are not reached soon.
Several opinion pieces question long-held assumptions about water security. The Sun City Independent argues that Arizona’s promise of “assured” water is increasingly disconnected from reality, while national commentary emphasizes that decades of overuse and delayed action have left little room for error.
Weather extremes continued to dominate headlines. The Los Angeles Times reports that Southern California experienced its wettest Christmas holiday on record, highlighting the growing drought-to-deluge cycle driven by climate change. Despite heavy rain in some areas, drought conditions persist elsewhere, according to California and national drought summaries. In Colorado, the Denver Gazette reports snowpack levels are at the lowest ever recorded for this point in the season, raising serious concerns for future Colorado River flows.
Local and regional responses remain mixed. The Payson Roundup reports progress on water system improvements in Star Valley and a brief return to normal rainfall in Payson, though officials caution that short-term relief does not change long-term conditions. In Nevada, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that rapid growth in Las Vegas is continuing despite the Colorado River crisis, intensifying concerns about sustainability.
Across the Basin, journalists and experts reflected on the year’s biggest water stories. Aspen Journalism and Aspen Public Radio highlight how climate change is worsening drought conditions and pushing leaders toward difficult decisions in 2026. National Parks Traveler reports that declining Colorado River flows are already affecting national park sites along the river, signaling broader environmental consequences.
Some coverage points toward potential paths forward. Fox 13 in Utah explores ideas aimed at easing water conflicts, while opinion pieces emphasize the need for compromise among Upper Basin states. The Sierra Club highlights how Indigenous knowledge and stewardship can play a key role in adapting to climate change and managing water more sustainably.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Council has made a historic decision to protect the lifeblood of their Reservation. On November 6, 2025, the Council unanimously approved Resolution No. R-375-25, which proclaims the personhood status of the Colorado River under tribal law.
This resolution acknowledges the Colorado River as a living entity whose health and well-being are intrinsically linked to the well-being of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) members. The Tribes’ deep-rooted connection to the river spans centuries, providing cultural identity, spiritual strength, food systems, and economic stability that continue to shape their community life today.
The resolution emphasizes the central role the river has played in defining the identity of the CRIT. It highlights that CRIT’s ancestors have preserved and protected these lands since before the establishment of the Colorado River Indian Reservation in 1865.
The Council underscores the crucial role the river plays in sustaining traditional practices, wildlife, and agriculture, including the federal irrigation systems authorized as early as 1867. Today, the Colorado River Indian Irrigation Project stands as a cornerstone of the tribal economy.
The resolution underscores significant legal milestones that acknowledged CRIT’s water rights. In the landmark 1964 and 2006 Arizona v. California U.S. Supreme Court decisions, the Tribes secured 719,248 acre-feet of water annually, ensuring their access to the river for generations to come.
By granting personhood to the River, the Tribal Council reaffirmed its sovereign duty to honor and protect it. This status mandates that the River’s well-being must be a priority in governance and decision-making moving forward.
As part of the resolution, the Attorney General and their staff will develop legal safeguards and propose updates to the CRIT Water Code and other relevant regulations. These updates may include the potential designation of the river as a protected cultural landscape.
Council members recognized that protecting the river is not merely a legal obligation but a continuation of cultural beliefs passed down through generations.
Through this declaration, CRIT demonstrates its unwavering commitment to stewardship. The resolution concludes with a resolute message: the Colorado River is, and will always remain, a vital entity deserving of respect, care, and protection for all future generations.
Article Written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero
News Update November 12, 2025
Negotiations over the future of the Colorado River have reached a standstill after all seven basin states failed to meet a key federal deadline. Reports from 12News and 8NewsNow confirm that the states were unable to agree on a new water-sharing plan, leaving the situation unresolved as the river continues to decline.
High Country News explains that the biggest disagreements involve how much each state should give up in the future. The upper Basin states want fewer mandatory reductions, while the Lower Basin states, including Arizona, say they have already taken the deepest cuts and cannot continue to absorb the majority of the impacts.
With no agreement in place, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has asked the Trump administration to intervene. She stated that Arizona has made significant sacrifices and cannot carry the weight of the reductions while other states refuse to commit to measurable cuts. If the states cannot reach a plan soon, the federal government may create one for them.
For the Colorado River Indian Tribes, the outcome of these negotiations has major importance. CRIT holds valuable senior water rights and relies on a stable and fair management plan to ensure long-term security for the community and the region.
For more information, you can read the news articles with the links below.
High Country News
https://www.hcn.org/articles/why-colorado-river-negotiations-are-so-difficult/
12 News
/wednesday-is-deadline-for-7-state-including-arizona-to-negotiate-the-colorado-river
Last week was filled with proud moments, happy tears, and celebrations as students across the community marked important milestones in their educational journeys.
The celebrations began Thursday, May 21, with the Parker Alternative Graduation ceremony that morning. Later that evening, families gathered again as students from Wallace Jr. High and Le Pera Elementary School took part in their promotion ceremonies, marking their next step forward.
The excitement continued Friday, May 22, with Parker High School’s Graduation celebration. Before the ceremony, graduates took part in a parade through town, where family, friends, and community members lined the route to cheer them on as they passed by. It was a special moment of recognition, not only for the graduates, but for everyone who supported them along the way.
The week ended Saturday, May 23, with the Head Start Promotion, a celebration filled with excitement, smiles, and a few tears from both parents and students. Although Head Start was the final event of the week, for many students, it represents where their educational journey first began.
Each ceremony served as a reminder of growth, hard work, and the importance of community support. From the youngest students taking their first big step forward to high school graduates preparing for new opportunities, each milestone is worth celebrating.
Congratulations to all the students who walked across the stage, down the aisle, or through the crowd of cheering loved ones. May you continue to shine, reach your goals, and move forward with confidence.
As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero
The Bureau of Reclamation told all 30 Tribal Nations in the Colorado River Basin on May 8th that they will no longer seek to allocate across-the-board shortages to all water users as previously proposed but instead will follow current law and respect senior tribal rights. This is a major victory for CRIT, Tribal rights advocates, and holders of senior water rights. As stated by CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores “We are pleased that Reclamation has finally decided to drop its illegal proposal to disregard CRIT’s senior water rights and allocate shortages without regard to priority.” Chair Flores continued, “Tribal Council has never backed down on the issue of protecting our Tribal rights. Throughout this process, Reclamation, and many others, have proposed for setting aside the priority system and for all water users to share equally in shortages. We know this is wrong and we were prepared to defend our senior water rights all the way to the Supreme Court. Fortunately, Reclamation has understood the seriousness of our position and dropped its proposal.”
Tribal Council has opposed these so called “pro-rata” shortages since they were first proposed by Reclamation over two years ago to manage reductions in Colorado River water due to overuse and climate change. Over this time, Tribal Council has been in support to stop the implementation of pro-rata shortages through an intensive and coordinated advocacy effort with the Trump Administration. This included many trips to Washington, DC, meetings with state-wide elected officials, and direct government-to-government consultation with senior Trump Administration officials.
While these efforts paid off in the statements made by Reclamation last week, the process regarding how the dams on the Colorado River will be operated is still ongoing. The CRIT Tribal Council understands that while the Reclamation’s reversal is a critical milestone, the fight to protect and preserve CRIT’s rights remain. As stated by Councilman Tommy Drennan “we will never rest in protecting and preserving our rights, not just for today but for future generations. “
CRIT’s water rights date back to the creation of the reservation, March 3, 1865 and are the most senior tribal water rights in the Lower Colorado River basin. We expect Reclamation to issue a final environmental document sometime in June.
During the mid-1800s, as the American Southwest was rapidly changing, Charles Debrille Poston emerged as one of the key figures helping shape the future of Arizona. A strong promoter of the region and its opportunities, Poston would later earn the nickname “Father of Arizona” for his efforts to establish Arizona as its own territory.
Poston was born on April 20, 1825, in Kentucky. Like many Americans of his time, he moved west in search of opportunity as new lands opened following the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. He soon became involved in mining ventures and settlement efforts in southern Arizona, particularly around the community of Tubac. His work promoting the region helped bring national attention to Arizona’s potential during a time when the area was still largely considered a frontier.
When the Arizona Territory was officially created in 1863, Poston was appointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the territory, a position that required him to travel throughout Arizona and meet with tribal leaders across the region. His duties frequently brought him to the lower Colorado River, an important transportation corridor that connected Arizona with California and Nevada.
During these travels, Poston visited areas along the river near present-day Parker, where Native communities had lived for generations. The Colorado River served as a lifeline for tribes of the region, supporting agriculture, trade, and daily life long before American settlers arrived. By the early 1860s, however, the arrival of miners, settlers, and military expeditions was beginning to reshape the Southwest and create new challenges for Native communities.
Among the tribal leaders working to navigate these changes was Mohave leader Chief Irataba, known for his diplomacy and efforts to work with federal officials while protecting his people and their homeland. Territorial leaders like Poston met with tribal representatives as the United States government considered how to organize the region and respond to increasing pressure on tribal lands. (more…)
