Update : CRIT has extended the deadline date for the General Welfare Application from Oct 17 to Oct 24th at 5pm.
Please click the links to upload related forms
DirectDeposit_ZionsBank_2025_GWP
General Welfare Application Minors_09132025
General Welfare Application_Adult_09132025
The Ten Tribes Partnership (TTP) is seeking a lead contractor. This contractor position is supported by the Colorado River Sustainability Campaign, a fiscally sponsored project of the New Venture Fund.
The TTP was formed in 1992 and is a coalition of ten federally recognized Upper and Lower Basin Tribes that hold water rights in the Colorado River Basin. The member Tribes are: Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, Cocopah Indian Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, Jicarilla Apache Nation, Navajo Nation, Quechan Indian Tribe, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe, and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
The goal of the TTP is to increase the influence of Tribes in Colorado River management and provide support for the protection and use of Tribal water resources. The Colorado River Basin is suffering from extended drought, and the impact of climate change is palpable. TTP is committed to developing a new management framework that uplifts tribal priorities ahead of the 2026 expiration of the 2007 Interim Guidelines. TTP has determined this to be a critical time to hire a Lead Contractor to coordinate its efforts.
ATTENTION CRIT TRIBAL MEMBERS
Tribal Board/Committee/Commission Vacancies
Applications may be picked up at the Tribal Executive Offices or online at www.critmanatabamessenger.com for the following:
IRRIGATION COMMITTEE
1—Term VACANT Chairman
3—Term VACANT Member
EDUCATION BOARD
1 – Term Expiring 12/31/2025
LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD
1 – Term Alternate Expiring 12/31/2026
ENVIRONMENTAL AGRICULTURAL COMMITTEE
1 – Term Expiring 12/31/2026
ETHICS REVIEW BOARD
2 – Full Term Expiring 12/31/2025
3 -Full Terms-Expiring 12/31/2026
CHILDREN’S RESIDENTIAL CENTER ADVISORY BOARD
1—Term Medical Professional
1—Term VACANT Nurse
1—Term VACANT Parent
1—Term VACANT Parent
1—Term VACANT Behavioral Professional
1—Term VACANT Grandparent
1—Term VACANT Grandparent
ADHOC CEMETERY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1– Undetermined Term VACANT
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
2 – Two Year Terms Expiring 12/31/2026
2 – Two Year Terms Expiring 12/31/2027
1 – Two Year Alternate Term Expiring 12/31/2026
Deadline: Until Filled
COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES
26600 Mohave Road, Parker, Arizona 85344 Telephone (928)669-1280
Email applications to b.c@crit-nsn.gov or drop off at the Executive Offices.
Follow the link to download an application
Follow the link for information on qualifications and to download related forms.Board Managers Opening ‘Amat Kuhwely, LLC
End of January 2026
Axios Phoenix
Governor Katie Hobbs traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with federal officials and other Basin state governors as the deadline to reach a Colorado River agreement approaches. Arizona is pushing to avoid deeper mandatory cuts that would heavily affect Central Arizona Project deliveries.
Colorado Sun
Colorado Governor Jared Polis and the state’s top water negotiator joined the D.C. meetings, signaling growing urgency among Upper Basin states. Officials acknowledged drought forecasts are “exceedingly grim,” with reservoirs unlikely to recover soon.
Las Vegas Weekly
Nevada and six other Basin states are running out of time to agree on a plan for managing the shrinking Colorado River. If no consensus is reached, the federal government is expected to impose its own operating rules.
Rep. David Schweikert Press Release
Congressman Schweikert introduced the “Equal Access to the Colorado River Act,” claiming it would protect Arizona during future shortages. The proposal focuses on reallocating access during drought conditions.
Prescott eNews
Panels of experts and negotiators warned that despite ongoing talks, major disagreements remain unresolved. Some officials are openly preparing for legal and political fights if negotiations fail.
Post Independent
Colorado officials are signaling readiness to fight for their water allocations if no deal is reached, reflecting hardened positions among states.
Arizona Republic / State Affairs
New legislation would make it easier to move water from rural Arizona to growing cities, including changes affecting irrigation and groundwater use.
NBC Palm Springs / LA Times
California officials are debating how to manage water deliveries as federal Colorado River rules near expiration. Environmental groups warn that ecosystem collapse is possible if large diversions continue.
Nevada Independent
Nevada’s warmer winter may reduce snowpack and hydropower generation, potentially increasing water and energy costs for residents.
KJZZ
Arizona lawmakers advanced legislation to increase the state’s Colorado River litigation fund, signaling preparation for court battles if negotiations collapse. Colorado is doing the same, underscoring how close the basin is to legal confrontation rather than collaboration.
KJZZ
Central Arizona Project leaders warned that deep federal water cuts would severely impact Arizona communities, agriculture, and economies that rely on CAP deliveries.
Arizona Water News (ADWR)
Arizona’s water director told state lawmakers that the Colorado River is entering a “new paradigm” where historic rules no longer match hydrology or climate reality. Long-term shortages are now assumed, not hypothetical.
California Department of Water Resources
California announced increased State Water Project allocations following December storms, improving flexibility for cities and farms. Officials emphasized that this does not end long-term supply risks. (more…)
KAWC Yuma Public Radio
As the federal deadline approaches, Colorado River stewards and water managers are openly debating which options remain viable to stabilize the river. Discussions now center on short-term operational changes, deeper conservation, and the possibility of federal intervention if states cannot agree.
Parker Pioneer
Local officials and residents raised concerns over proposed legislation that would allow groundwater transfers out of the McMullen Valley Basin, fearing it could accelerate depletion in western Arizona.
SignalsAZ
Queen Creek announced steps to secure its long-term water future through a mix of groundwater, imported water, and infrastructure investment.
NBC 9 News Denver / ABC4 Utah
Lawmakers and governors across the Basin are aligning legislative agendas around water security as negotiations intensify. Leaders acknowledge that compromise will be unavoidable.
Eurasia Review
An international analysis examines how climate change, overuse, and governance failures have pushed the Colorado River toward crisis, calling for coordinated action across jurisdictions.
Arizona House Committee on Natural Resources (Video)
Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke testified before lawmakers, outlining the seriousness of the Colorado River situation and the potential consequences if Basin states fail to reach agreement. He emphasized that Arizona remains highly vulnerable to deeper cuts under federal plans.
Colorado Sun
State water officials warn that drought forecasts and reservoir levels in Colorado are worse than previously expected, increasing urgency for action.
January 26, 2026
ABC15 Arizona
The Central Arizona Project’s general manager warned that deeper Colorado River cuts would have severe impacts across Arizona, affecting municipal supplies, agriculture, and long-term planning. Officials stressed that Arizona is particularly vulnerable because CAP deliveries are among the first reduced during shortages.
Lake Havasu News Herald
Arizona lawmakers are weighing funding for drone-based cloud seeding programs aimed at increasing snowfall in key watersheds. Supporters see it as a potential tool to enhance runoff into the Colorado River system.
Arizona Republic
Mesa is finishing a $210 million water reuse pipeline that will reduce reliance on Colorado River water by recycling treated wastewater for non-drinking uses.
KJZZ
New aircraft equipped with laser technology will measure snow depth and water content across Arizona’s mountains, improving runoff forecasts.
Wyoming is exploring a voluntary program to conserve Colorado River water, potentially paying users to leave water in the river.
ABC15 Arizona
Seven Western governors, including Arizona’s governor, are traveling to Washington, D.C., as negotiations intensify and deadlines approach. States are scrambling to present unified positions ahead of federal meetings.
KUNR
Extraordinary winter warmth continues to suppress snowpack across much of the West. Officials warn that poor snow accumulation could require additional reservoir releases, including from Flaming Gorge, to meet downstream needs.
Colorado Sun
As data centers expand into Colorado, concerns are growing about their large water footprints in already-stressed regions.
Federal officials again summoned governors from all seven Colorado River Basin states to Washington, D.C., signaling growing concern that negotiations remain stuck. Reports indicate the federal government is preparing to step in more forcefully if states cannot agree on near-term shortage management and a longer-term framework.
Governor Katie Hobbs is escalating efforts to restrict groundwater pumping tied to Saudi-backed alfalfa farming in La Paz County. The reporting highlights how years of unregulated groundwater use have drawn down aquifers connected to Colorado River–dependent regions.
New analysis outlines what may come next if Basin states fail to reach agreement, including deeper federal control, stricter shortage tiers, and more aggressive conservation.
Sources – January 23, 2026
Arizona Budget Proposal Includes Major Funding for Colorado River Protection
On January 16, 2026, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) shared details of Governor Katie Hobbs’ FY 2027 Executive Budget Proposal focused on preparing for long-term challenges facing the Colorado River. The plan includes new and expanded funding aimed at strengthening water security across Arizona in the face of ongoing Colorado River shortages.
Key points from the budget related to water:
Source:
Arizona Water News https://azwaternews.com/2026/01/16/fy2027_execbudgetproposal/
Arizona announced new groundwater management rules for parts of La Paz County, expanding oversight in an area long known for unregulated pumping. The move follows increased scrutiny of agricultural water use and reflects a broader push to protect groundwater supplies as Colorado River shortages continue. La Paz County lies within CRIT’s region. Stronger groundwater rules help prevent over-pumping that can undermine surface water systems and threaten tribal water security.
A water policy expert argues that Basin states are unlikely to compromise without clear federal consequences. With post-2026 rules approaching, the federal government’s willingness to step in is seen as a key driver for progress. Federal involvement increases the importance of ensuring tribal water rights and sovereignty are explicitly recognized in any imposed or negotiated plan.
Multiple outlets report on the release of the draft post-2026 Colorado River management alternatives by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The plan outlines several options for operating Lake Powell and Lake Mead, including deeper cuts and greater federal control if states fail to agree. Officials stress that public and stakeholder input is still open but time is limited. These alternatives could directly affect downstream water deliveries. CRIT’s senior water rights, sovereignty, and river stewardship must be included before any plan is finalized.
Arizona municipal water providers stress that collaboration during the legislative session will be essential to address shortages, infrastructure needs, and conservation goals tied to the Colorado River.
Legislation was introduced in Congress to formally codify a tribal water rights settlement, providing legal certainty and recognition of the tribe’s rights. Each tribal settlement strengthens the broader recognition of tribal water rights across the Colorado River Basin and reinforces sovereignty.
Reports highlight emerging technologies, including satellite tools and agricultural innovations, aimed at reducing water use and improving efficiency across the West. Technology can support conservation efforts, but it does not replace enforceable water rights or the need to protect river flows.
Aerocare Global Medical Response Solutions in partnership with the Colorado River Indian Tribes unveiled their new Education Center at the Avi Suquilla airport on Thursday January 23rd.
The program uses two helicopters and one fixed wing airplane.
These aircraft will provide lifesaving flights for patients in emergency situations as well as providing staff with hands-on training during their down time.
“The Clinical Education Center will be a space for EMS professionals and agencies from throughout the area to maintain, improve and test their clinical care skills,” said Jim Hiatt, program director at Aerocare. “This resource provides an established space dedicated to improving the emergency medical care and outcomes for the community members of Parker and the surrounding areas.”
At the ribbon cutting, Aerocare thanked the Colorado River Indian Tribes, The Town of Parker , and the staff at the Avi Suquilla Airport. (more…)
CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores delivered a message emphasizing water rights and tribal sovereignty as one of three tribal leaders who addressed the Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day January 15th at the Arizona State Senate Chambers. It was the event’s 30th year.
Chairwoman Flores said this is a critical time for the Colorado River, “The decisions we make about how we share and use this living resource will directly impact our children and our grandchildren.”
As climate change, population growth, and drought impact the Colorado River, Chairwoman Flores told the gathering of tribal leaders and Arizona lawmakers, “My Tribe is engaged in a great struggle, not just to project our great river but to protect the very essence of our identity.”
Flores thanked Arizona lawmakers for their support in federal legislation that gave CRIT the authority to allow for the use of its water off reservation land, if CRIT chooses to do so.
Flores said the CRIT Water Resiliency Act gives CRIT control as to how, where, and when its water is used. But she says the fight isn’t over, “Despite the passage of our Act, our water rights continue to be under attack. But rest assured, CRIT will protect our water rights. We always have and we always will.” (more…)
The Colorado River Indian Tribes applauds President Biden’s decision to designate more than 624,000 acres in California to create the Chuckwalla National Monument. The monument would span south of Joshua Tree National Park and north of Interstate 10 across to the Colorado River. The designation will protect the Chuckwalla from mining, drilling and logging.
“The Colorado River Indian Tribes celebrates the permanent and long-term protection of ancestral lands and the cultural landscape through the designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument,” said Amelia Flores, Chairwoman of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. “CRIT has worked tirelessly to preserve and protect water, resources, and sacred sites. This designation clearly affirms CRIT’s spiritual, cultural, and ancestral connection to these lands.”
CRIT sent a delegation of Tribal Members including Tribal Council Secretary Josephine Tahbo and Councilwoman Tracey Quillen and representatives from the Mohave Elders Committee to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday January 4th when President Biden signed and designated the Chuckwalla lands. In April, an 800,000-signature petition was presented to President Joe Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in support of the designation.
TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Arizona will host a special series of sign unveiling ceremonies on Friday, September 4, 2026, honoring the four languages of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT): Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, & Navajo. These ceremonies represent an important milestone in an ongoing campus-wide initiative to elevate the visibility, recognition, and continued presence of Indigenous languages and cultural heritage within the campus community.
The events are organized by the University of Arizona’s Office of Native American Advancement & Tribal Engagement (NAATE) in collaboration with individual academic colleges. Students, faculty, staff, tribal community members, and the general public are invited to attend the progression of ceremonies throughout the day.
The schedule for the Friday ceremonies includes:
The celebration of Indigenous culture continues into the weekend with the Native American Heritage Game on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The Arizona Wildcats will face Northern Arizona at Casino Del Sol Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 6:30 PM MST. Pre-game festivities at Bear Down Field will begin at 3:15 PM with the Bear Down Bash, featuring 18-minute cultural performances from each tribe. A traditional gift presentation will follow during the Wildcat Walk at 4:15 PM, leading up to an on-field tribal recognition ceremony during the second quarter of the football game.
For more operational schedules or to register for the unveiling events, please visit the official University of Arizona Event Page.
