July 30, 2026 12:19 am
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
July 30, 2026 12:19 am
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
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
On behalf of CRIT we would like to congratulate Yolanda Gomez for 40 years of service and dedication.
Yolanda started her career with the Colorado River Indian Tribes on August 19, 1985 as Secretary with CRIT Farms.
In May of 1991, Yolanda transferred to Accounting as Enterprise Bookkeeper, and in 2008, she received a promotion to Senior Staff Accountant. Because of her expertise and dedication, “Yoli” as she is affectionately called, has also been appointed Acting Controller during times of need.
The Tribal Council and Human Resources Department thanks you for 40+ years of continued service to the Colorado River Indian Tribes.
COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
12302 KENNEDY DRIVE
PARKER, ARIZONA 85344
TELEPHONE (928) 669-6577
FAX (928) 669-8881
August 22, 2025
Notice to the Public:
The Colorado River Indian Tribes Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has received information that Mosquito Arbovirus Surveillance was conducted on the Colorado River Indian Reservation on August 19“’ & 20“’, 2025. This surveillance was conducted by the Parker Indian Health Service Office of Environment Health and Engineering (IHS;OEH&E) in partnership with the CRIT Environmental Protection Office (EPO).
There were mosquito pools that were tested for the presence of the West Nile Virus. One sample tested Positive for the presence of the West Nile virus collected at the Poston, Arizona – 50 Homes site. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites by taking precautionary measures to protect you and your family from dusk to dawn.
● Use an insect repellent and reapply as directed.
● Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, covering arms and legs.
● Treat clothing and gear with repellant.
● Take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors, drain standing water
in flower pots, bird baths, or old tires.
● Keep doors and windows shut.
Eighty percent (80%) of people infected with WNV will not show any symptoms but we are asking the public to report any symptoms that you may be experiencing after a mosquito bite that you feel could be due to the West Nile virus. Symptoms can be flu-like and can include: a fever, a headache, body aches, diarrhea, a rash, nausea and vomiting and can be mild or severe, and may last a few days to a few weeks. However, in rare cases, severe illness can occur; that might include brain infections such as meningitis or encephalitis, paralysis or even death. There is no vaccine for the WNV in the United States, and there are no specific treatments.
The 50 Homes area was treated in the early morning hours of Friday, August 22, 2025, by CRIT EPO, The Parker IHS OEH&E and CRIT EPO will continue to monitor the area as well as the surrounding areas for West Nile virus activity to reduce the mosquito population.
● If you want to report an environmental issue such as standing water, please call the CRIT Environmental Office at 928-662-4336.
For any symptoms that you may be experiencing, please contact your primary care physician or visit the Emergency Department or call the Parker Indian Health Services Public Health Nursing at 928- 669-213
● For more information on the West Nile virus, please visit this link.
You can also contact the Department of Health and Social Services at 928-669-6577, for more information
