October 27, 2026 8:15 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
October 27, 2026 8:15 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
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
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
CRIT Head Start hosted its Trunk or Treat event October 31st as a number of departments handed out candy and other goodies to the Head Start students who attended. Head Start Director Caroline Alcadia thanked everyone who attended and helped put the event together. Council members in attendance were Councilwoman Jaymee Moore, Councilwoman Vanessa Welch, Councilman Bobby Page, and Councilman J.D. Fisher.
Robert Esquerra started his career with the Colorado River Indian Tribes on October 18, 1999 as a EMT with CRIT Fire Department. In March of 2002 he went to Head Start as their maintenance worker. He then transferred to CRIT’s Department of Health and Social Services as a driver.
In 2004, Esquerra returned to the CRIT Fire Department as an EMT/Firefighter. In 2006 he was promoted to Captain for the Fire Department and in 2012 Esquerra was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief, the position he still holds today.
The Tribal Council and Human Resources Department thank Robert Esquerra for 25 years of continued service to the Colorado River Indian Tribes.
The Rock the Rez tour presented by CRIT ASAP (Alcohol Substance Abuse & Behavioral health services program) CRIT SDP (Special Diabetes Program), kicked off October 28th at Le Pera Elementary.. At Le Pera, the day began with a full court sprint and push up challenge, followed by a hoop shooting contest. The Reservation All-Stars basketball team gave out prizes to those who got the chance to participate. They also showcased their basketball skills on October 28th at the Irataba Hall Gym. The special diabetes program offered participants healthy food options and free tee-shirts.
CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores, Vice Chairman Dwight Lomayesva, and Councilmember Bobby Page attended a symposium on the Colorado River held in September in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The symposium’s theme was Bridging Divides for a Resilient Future.
Chairwoman Flores stated that anytime tribal nations can speak about their tribal water rights as conferences like this makes this a historical achievement. She further stated it was an honor to represent CRIT.
Chairwoman Flores was on a panel entitled Paradigm Shift: Inclusive Approaches to Moving Forward. Panelists included (pictured left to right) were moderator: Anne Castle, U.S. Commissioner, Upper Colorado River Commission; Bidtah Becker, Chief Legal Counsel for the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President; Amelia Flores, Chairwoman Colorado River Indian Tribes; Timothy Williams, Chairman Ft. Mojave Indian Tribe; and Lorelei Cloud, Vice-Chair, Southern Ute Tribe.
Vice Chairman Dwight Lomayesva spoke on a panel called Perspective from the Field Agriculture for the Next Century. His panel included moderator Jennifer Gimbel, Senior Water Policy Scholar at the Colorado Water Center; Taylor Hawes, Colorado River Program Director for The Nature Conservancy; and Dwight Lomayesva, Vice-Chair, Colorado River Indian Tribes.
