September 3, 2026 10:11 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
September 3, 2026 10:11 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
According to the Arizona Capitol Times, cracks are beginning to show in Arizona’s previously unified position on Colorado River negotiations. Disagreements are emerging between state leaders and local communities over how water should be managed and protected as shortages worsen.
Some regions, particularly rural areas, are pushing back against policies they believe prioritize urban growth over local water security. These divisions highlight the increasing pressure Arizona faces as it works to defend its share of Colorado River water.
For CRIT, internal disagreements within Arizona matter because they can influence how the state approaches negotiations and allocation decisions, which ultimately affect Tribal water rights and the broader river system.
According to the Office of the Arizona Governor, Governor Katie Hobbs is expanding Arizona’s efforts to protect its Colorado River water by engaging national business leaders. The goal is to build broader support and strengthen Arizona’s position in ongoing negotiations over future river operations.
State officials are working to highlight the economic importance of Colorado River water and the potential impacts of shortages on industries and communities. This approach reflects how water issues are increasingly tied to economic and political strategy.
For CRIT, these efforts show how states are mobilizing additional influence in negotiations, which can shape how water is allocated and how Tribal interests are considered in future agreements.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, a recent heat wave is accelerating snowmelt across the Colorado River Basin, raising concerns about reduced spring runoff. Experts warn that early melting can lead to less water reaching major reservoirs like Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
The situation is being described as a “blaring alarm” for the river, as warming temperatures continue to impact how water is stored and delivered. Reduced runoff could worsen already declining reservoir levels.
For CRIT, early snowmelt and reduced runoff directly affect how much water flows through the Colorado River system, influencing future water availability and management decisions. (more…)
According to CBS 5 Arizona’s Family, Yuma officials are preparing for possible Colorado River water cuts as negotiations over future river operations continue. Yuma, a major agricultural hub, depends heavily on Colorado River water, and local leaders say reductions could impact farming, jobs, and the regional economy.
As federal and state officials work toward new post-2026 guidelines, communities like Yuma are closely watching how water shortages will be distributed across the basin. The uncertainty reflects ongoing challenges in reaching agreement among the seven basin states.
For CRIT, impacts to Yuma highlight how reductions in Colorado River water can affect agriculture and economies across the region, reinforcing the importance of protecting water rights and ensuring fair allocation decisions.
According to KJZZ, water conservation efforts in Arizona are becoming increasingly expensive, and officials are exploring whether large corporations could help cover some of the costs. Programs aimed at reducing water use, such as paying farmers or industries to conserve water, require significant funding.
State leaders and water managers are looking at partnerships with businesses to support conservation efforts as Colorado River supplies continue to decline. The goal is to find sustainable ways to reduce water use without placing the entire financial burden on taxpayers.
For CRIT, this reflects a broader shift in how water conservation is being funded and managed. As water becomes more limited, decisions about who pays for conservation efforts will play a key role in shaping long-term water policy.
According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, nearly $889 million is being invested in water infrastructure projects across the western United States. The funding will support efforts to improve water storage, conservation, and system efficiency as drought conditions continue.
The investment is part of a larger federal effort to strengthen water systems and address long-term shortages in the Colorado River Basin and other regions. Projects may include upgrades to canals, reservoirs, and water delivery systems. (more…)
By Ariana Romero CRIT Media
According to CBS 5 Arizona’s Family, Yuma officials are preparing for possible Colorado River water cuts as negotiations over future river operations continue. Yuma, a major agricultural hub, depends heavily on Colorado River water, and local leaders say reductions could impact farming, jobs, and the regional economy.
As federal and state officials work toward new post-2026 guidelines, communities like Yuma are closely watching how water shortages will be distributed across the basin. The uncertainty reflects ongoing challenges in reaching agreement among the seven basin states.
For CRIT, impacts to Yuma highlight how reductions in Colorado River water can affect agriculture and economies across the region, reinforcing the importance of protecting water rights and ensuring fair allocation decisions.
According to KJZZ, water conservation efforts in Arizona are becoming increasingly expensive, and officials are exploring whether large corporations could help cover some of the costs. Programs aimed at reducing water use, such as paying farmers or industries to conserve water, require significant funding.
State leaders and water managers are looking at partnerships with businesses to support conservation efforts as Colorado River supplies continue to decline. The goal is to find sustainable ways to reduce water use without placing the entire financial burden on taxpayers.
For CRIT, this reflects a broader shift in how water conservation is being funded and managed. As water becomes more limited, decisions about who pays for conservation efforts will play a key role in shaping long-term water policy.
According to the Daily Independent, Governor Katie Hobbs is working to involve national business leaders in Arizona’s efforts to address Colorado River water challenges. The state is seeking support from major industries to help advocate for Arizona’s position in ongoing river negotiations.
The move comes as Arizona faces potential reductions in its Colorado River allocation and increasing pressure to secure long-term water supplies. State officials are expanding their approach by bringing in economic stakeholders to strengthen their position.
For CRIT, this shows how water negotiations are expanding beyond government agencies to include business interests. These broader coalitions could influence how water decisions are made and how resources are prioritized across the basin. (more…)
By Ariana Romero CRIT Media
According to the Arizona Mirror, rural Arizona residents are pushing back against a proposed bill that would allow a hedge fund to transport and sell groundwater from rural areas to cities like Phoenix. Opponents argue the measure could drain local water supplies and remove control from the communities that depend on those resources.
The proposal highlights growing tensions between rural and urban water needs as Arizona faces increasing pressure from Colorado River shortages. As cities look for new water sources, rural communities are raising concerns about long-term sustainability and fairness.
For CRIT, this issue reflects a larger pattern across the Southwest, where water is becoming a highly valuable and contested resource. Decisions about who controls and benefits from water supplies are directly tied to protecting Tribal water rights and ensuring long-term access.
According to Signals AZ, decisions being made about the Colorado River’s future could have significant impacts on Yuma, one of Arizona’s most important agricultural regions. Yuma relies heavily on Colorado River water to support farming and local economies.
As negotiations continue over how to manage the river after 2026, potential reductions in water allocations could affect crop production and economic stability in the region. Officials are closely monitoring how federal plans may shape future water deliveries.
For CRIT, impacts to regions like Yuma highlight how interconnected the Colorado River system is. Changes in water distribution anywhere along the river can affect the overall balance of the system and influence decisions that impact Tribal communities downstream.
According to KJZZ, there is renewed discussion about restarting the dormant desalination plant in Yuma as a way to supplement Colorado River supplies. The plant, which treats water from Mexico, has long been considered a potential tool to help offset water shortages in the region.
Supporters say reviving the plant could help increase available water as Colorado River supplies continue to decline. However, questions remain about cost, environmental impacts, and long-term feasibility.
For CRIT, desalination represents one of several strategies being explored to reduce pressure on the Colorado River. These types of projects could play a role in shaping future water availability across the basin.
According to CBS 5 Arizona’s Family, treated seawater is being considered as a potential solution to help Arizona address deeper Colorado River water cuts. The idea involves desalinating ocean water and transporting it inland to supplement existing supplies. (more…)
By Ariana Romero CRIT Media
According to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), the February 2026 drought status report shows ongoing drought conditions across much of Arizona, with long-term dryness continuing to impact water supplies. While some areas have seen minor improvements, snowpack and precipitation levels remain below average in key regions that help feed rivers and groundwater systems.
These conditions are part of a broader trend across the Colorado River Basin, where reduced snowpack and warmer temperatures continue to limit water availability. Drought conditions not only affect surface water but also place increased pressure on groundwater resources as communities rely more heavily on alternative supplies.
For CRIT, ongoing drought conditions are critical because they directly impact the Colorado River system. Reduced water availability upstream can influence river flows, reservoir levels, and long-term water management decisions that affect Tribal water rights and future planning.
According to CBS 5 Arizona’s Family, two proposed Arizona bills would allow rural groundwater to be sold and transported to larger cities. Supporters say the legislation could help address water shortages in growing urban areas, while opponents argue it could drain rural water supplies and negatively impact local communities.
Residents in rural areas have raised concerns about losing control over their groundwater, especially as demand increases from cities facing Colorado River cutbacks. The issue highlights growing tension between rural and urban water needs in Arizona.
For CRIT, groundwater policy is closely tied to the broader conversation about water use and resource protection. As pressure on the Colorado River increases, decisions about groundwater transfers could reshape how water is distributed across the state and impact long-term water security.
According to the Payson Roundup, Arizona’s congressional delegation is متحد in opposing a federal plan that could reduce the state’s Colorado River water supply. Lawmakers argue the proposal would unfairly impact Arizona and are calling for a more balanced approach to managing shortages across the basin.
The opposition reflects ongoing disagreements between states and federal officials as new rules for managing the Colorado River after 2026 are developed. Arizona leaders say they are working to protect the state’s share of river water amid growing scarcity.
For CRIT, federal decisions about Colorado River allocations are especially important because they influence how water shortages are shared and how Tribal water rights are recognized within the system.
According to NOAA Drought.gov, snow drought conditions continue across much of the western United States, meaning there is less snowpack available to supply rivers like the Colorado River. Even when storms occur, warmer temperatures can cause snow to melt too early or fall as rain instead.
Snowpack acts as a natural storage system for water, slowly releasing runoff into rivers during the spring and summer. When snowpack is low, less water flows into reservoirs like Lake Powell and Lake Mead, which are critical to the Colorado River system.
For CRIT, snow drought conditions are a key concern because they directly affect how much water enters the Colorado River each year, influencing water availability for Tribal communities and long-term resource planning.
According to the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President, President Buu Nygren is urging swift passage of a water rights settlement aimed at addressing long-standing water access challenges for the Navajo Nation. The settlement is intended to help secure water infrastructure and provide reliable access to water for communities that have faced shortages for generations.
Tribal leaders emphasize that water rights settlements are essential for ensuring that allocated water can actually be delivered and used, especially in areas lacking infrastructure.
For CRIT, this highlights the broader importance of Tribal water rights across the Colorado River Basin. Securing and developing water rights remains a key issue for Tribal Nations working to protect their resources and support their communities.
According to Tribal Business News, federal officials are warning of a funding gap as tribes support a proposed $5 billion Arizona water settlement. The settlement aims to resolve water rights issues and fund infrastructure projects, but concerns remain about whether sufficient federal funding will be available.
Tribal leaders continue to advocate for investment in water systems to ensure that water rights can be fully realized. Without funding, even legally secured water rights may remain difficult to access or use.
For CRIT, this reinforces the importance of both water rights and the infrastructure needed to support them. Funding decisions at the federal level can directly impact how Tribal Nations develop and protect their water resources.
By Ariana Romero CRIT Media
According to 12News (KPNX), the Central Arizona Project (CAP) is warning that Arizona could face up to $2.7 trillion in economic losses under a worst-case Colorado River management scenario.
CAP officials say severe water reductions could impact agriculture, housing development, and overall economic growth across the state. The Colorado River is a primary water source for Arizona, and any major cutbacks would ripple through multiple sectors.
For CRIT, this highlights how closely water is tied to economic stability. Decisions about Colorado River water are not just environmental, they directly affect jobs, infrastructure, and the long-term well-being of Tribal communities that depend on the river.
According to Newsweek, Lake Powell could see some of its lowest water levels in 25 years due to continued drought and low snowpack across the Colorado River Basin.
Forecasts show that inflows into the reservoir this year could be among the lowest on record, with only about 36% of average runoff expected. If water levels drop too low, it could threaten hydropower production at Glen Canyon Dam and reduce the system’s ability to store and deliver water.
For CRIT, Lake Powell plays a major role in managing the Colorado River system. Declining reservoir levels can affect how water is released downstream, which impacts water availability for communities, agriculture, and Tribal Nations along the river.
According to Indianz.com, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is preparing to hold a hearing focused on Tribal water rights.
The hearing will address ongoing efforts to secure and protect water rights for Tribal Nations, many of which are still working to finalize settlements and access infrastructure needed to fully use their water allocations.
For CRIT, this is especially important because Tribal Nations hold some of the most senior water rights on the Colorado River. Federal discussions and decisions around these rights can influence how water is allocated, protected, and developed for Tribal communities now and in the future.
Sources
Indianz.com: https://indianz.com/News/2026/03/10/senate-committee-on-indian-affairs-sets-hearing-on-water-rights/
Written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero
“This river is everything to so many people. And yet so many of us treat it as if it’s nothing.”
Those words from ultradistance runner and water advocate Mina Guli carry added weight as the Colorado River faces more than two decades of drought, declining reservoir levels, and growing uncertainty over how the river will be managed in the years ahead.
For the Colorado River Indian Tribes, the future of the river is not a distant issue. CRIT lives along its banks, holds senior Colorado River water rights, and continues to play an active role in conversations surrounding conservation, management, and the river’s future.
Those conditions gave added significance to Guli’s 2,000-mile “Keep the River Running” journey as it reached the Colorado River Indian Reservation.
Guli is running approximately 2,000 miles in 100 days along the Colorado River as part of her “Keep the River Running” campaign. Her journey follows the river through communities that depend on it, with a focus on raising awareness, listening to local voices, and encouraging cooperation around the river’s future.
Her CRIT visit began on the California side of the Reservation, where Councilman Tommy Drennan, Councilwoman Raeanne Patch, and Councilwoman Tracey Quillen greeted and welcomed her before the run.
From there, members of the Mohave Runners, Adrian Pulido, Nolan Taliman, Irving Sharp, Elan Drennan-Webb, Joseph “Joe” Deleon, Aniah “AB” Booth, Mickey Anderson Jr., Joshua Mike, Oslette Johnson, and Chance Fisher joined Guli and ran alongside her through scorching desert heat. Together, they crossed the Colorado River from the California side into Arizona and continued through the community to the Tribal Council Chambers on Mohave Road.
The Mohave Runners brought a strong local presence to the event. Their participation reflected more than physical endurance. They were running beside a river that has sustained their community for generations, showing strength and determination while taking part in a larger effort focused on the future of the Colorado.
Guli said running alongside local people gave her a deeper understanding of the communities tied to the river.
“These are people who have spent their lives here and have so much to share and so much knowledge,” she said.
After the run, Guli, Tribal Council, and community members gathered inside the Tribal Council Chambers. Vice Chairman Dwight Lomayesva, Secretary Josephine Tahbo, Treasurer Anisa Patch, Councilwomen Tracey Quillen, Vanessa Welch, and Raeanne Patch, and Councilman Tommy Drennan were among those in attendance.
The Tribal Council welcomed Guli, presented her with a gift, and thanked her for bringing attention to the Colorado River and the people whose lives are connected to it.
During the gathering and her interview with CRIT Media, one message continued to surface: the importance of working together.
Guli spoke about the many challenges facing the river, including fragmentation among governments, communities, industries, and organizations. She said long-term solutions will require people to look beyond individual interests and focus on a shared future.
“Together doesn’t mean that the river is yours or mine,” Guli said. “It means that it’s ours.”
She also described what she called the “power of together,” saying the future of the river will depend on people being willing to listen to one another, include different perspectives, and work across boundaries.
For Guli, that includes Tribal communities whose relationship with the river goes back generations.
She said being at CRIT gave her the opportunity to listen directly to people who have lived with and understood the Colorado River “since time immemorial.” She also pointed to CRIT’s work involving legal personhood as an example of thinking about the river as more than simply a resource.
“The way to hear them is to be here,” she said. (more…)
(PARKER, Ariz.) The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) remains vigilant and recognizes the efforts brought forward in the release of the Record of Decision (ROD) for operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead (2027–2036). The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) is not imposing illegal water cuts on CRIT that it initially proposed in the draft EIS issued earlier this year.
CRIT recognizes the current water crisis impacts the millions of people who depend on the River including wildlife and natural habitats. CRIT’s own membership residing in the various towns, cities, states will be impacted by water shortages. Indeed, the Tribes’ deep-rooted connection to the River spans since time immemorial.
The ROD cites to formally include Tribal nations including CRIT in the Basin-wide consultation structure. CRIT has been seeking this for years and hopes the BOR keeps to their promise.
On behalf of the CRIT Tribal Council, Chairwoman Amelia Flores states, “The efforts of CRIT have made a difference. The numerous meetings and discussions between CRIT’s Tribal Council and the Bureau of Reclamation have clearly had an impact. In the ROD, the Bureau of Reclamation acknowledged they would follow the decree established in AZ v. California. This is of critical importance to CRIT, which holds the most senior Tribal rights in the Lower Basin.”
Tribal Council Member Tommy Drennan states, “We turn another page in this water crisis. We go forward to defend the river, our allocation, and the voice of our CRIT nation. It is progress, knowing that the US recognizes the need to work towards further solutions until the river recovers. It is progress to know there are no illegal reductions facing our allocation today. We will continue to do what we must to keep the river alive.”
Councilmember Raeanne Patch states, “Given the critical status of the river, tribal consultation is mandatory in every discussion and decision regarding the Colorado River.”
Councilmember Anisa Patch states, “As the river’s natural ability to replenish itself falls further behind, CRIT continues defending our water allocation and traditional lifelines, navigating colonial processes. We fight to preserve our livelihoods, the livelihoods of all living things who depend on this river to the changed landscapes ahead.”
Councilmember Tracey Quillen states, “I am proud of the work CRIT has done to bring us to this point, but our work is not finished. We remain vigilant in protecting our water and will continue working together to ensure that our rights are respected and protected for generations to come.”
The ROD preserves the legal status of CRIT’s water rights. It also clarified Reclamation will not rely on misdealing assumptions about CRIT’s water use in the FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Statement) regarding CRIT’s inability to entirely use its water resources.
However, the ROD also introduces a series of two-year operating frameworks under which additional reductions in water supply for central Arizona could be adopted if reservoir conditions worsen. As a result, CRIT will continue to proactively engage with Reclamation and other stakeholders throughout these successive two-year processes to fully protect CRIT’s water rights.
In November, the CRIT Tribal Council voted unanimously to proclaim Personhood Status for the Colorado River, acknowledging 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.
While the Tribal Council will stay engaged regarding CRIT’s water allocation, It will also continue to actively address the limitations in water delivery infrastructure which must be addressed by the federal government.
Flores added, “As this water crisis persists, CRIT continues conservation measures to preserve the life of the Colorado River.”
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Veterinarian-Stakeholder Comms-WOLKER-SIGNED
The Colorado River has faced historic drought and declining reservoir levels for more than two decades. In 2019, the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, and representatives of the seven Colorado River Basin states signed the Drought Contingency Plans (DCP). The plans established coordinated conservation measures to reduce the risk of Lake Mead and Lake Powell falling to critically low levels.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) were among the Colorado River water users that voluntarily agreed to conserve water as part of the DCP. Between 2020 and 2022, the Tribes conserved 150,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water, helping keep additional water in Lake Mead. An acre-foot is enough water to cover one acre of land one foot deep.
CRIT received compensation for the 150,000 acre-feet it conserved. The effort also left approximately 10,000 acre-feet of additional water in Lake Mead. CRIT was not compensated for that portion, which became the Tribes’ Intentionally Created Surplus (ICS).
ICS is conserved water stored in Lake Mead for later use. The Bureau of Reclamation continues to credit the water to CRIT, similar to money held in a savings account. The balance is separate from the Tribes’ regular annual Colorado River allocation, and using it would not reduce CRIT’s allocation in future years.
Two rules govern CRIT’s ICS water. The first involves evaporation. The Bureau of Reclamation accounts for ICS as water stored at the top of the reservoir, making it subject to evaporation losses. Similar to water sitting in an uncovered container, water at the surface is the first to evaporate.
Those losses have reduced CRIT’s original ICS balance from approximately 10,000 acre-feet to 9,009 acre-feet. Water lost through evaporation cannot be recovered, and CRIT does not receive compensation for it. The longer the water remains in Lake Mead, the less CRIT has available to use or receive compensation for.
The second rule limits who may use ICS. It may only be used by the federal government or another entity that also holds ICS. Under the current rules, the Central Arizona Project, commonly known as CAP, and the Gila River Indian Community are the only eligible users for CRIT’s stored water.
CAP has approached Tribal Council about using the water in exchange for compensation. A possible agreement would allow CRIT to receive value from the remaining balance before additional water is lost through evaporation.
CRIT’s ICS is a finite Tribal resource created through conservation. Tribal Council is now considering how to use the remaining 9,009 acre-feet before evaporation further reduces its potential value.
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.
