July 29, 2026 7:39 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
July 29, 2026 7:39 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
Per the notice attached below, official comments must be made in writing to CRRMC, therefore comments made on Facebook will not be considered official.
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR (Environmental Review Record) to the Colorado River Residential Management Corporation, Morris P. Sevada III, Executive Director. All comments received by September 24, 2024, will be considered by the Colorado River Indian Tribes prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
Please mail any comments to:
Colorado River Residential Management Corporation
PO Box 3427
Parker, Arizona 85344
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
(August 4th 3:30pm)
Notice to BIA Electric Customers:
All power has been restored in the affected Big River area. If you are still having power issues, please call CRIT Dispatch at 928-669-1299, or if you have an emergency call 911.
For power outage updates, call B.I.A. Electric Monday through Friday from 8AM – 5PM at (928) 669-7173.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation. BE SAFE!
On July 12th, the West Cocopah Reservation, based in Somerton, Arizona, held their Tribal Council Elections. The Inaugural ceremony to install all five elected officials was held on July 26th.
Cocopah Tribal Officials for 2024 – 2026
The curriculum department at Parker High School, along with department head Amy Conway and instructional specialist Jennifer Baker, recently held a new teacher’s induction at Parker High School.
This new teacher induction helps the teachers grasp a broad idea of what it will be like to enter into a new place with different cultures and ideals, and it will teach them about the community. This training includes procedures for learning how to be professional in and out of the classroom and best practices for teaching your classroom how to run efficiently. It also exposes them to diverse cultures within our community.
