October 27, 2026 5:24 am
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
October 27, 2026 5:24 am
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
Notice to Contractors: The Colorado River Indian Tribes has issued Addendum 1 for the CPUC Broadband Deployment Phase I Request for Proposals for the construction of outside plant fiber optic infrastructure. This addendum includes answers to questions discussed during the March 17 pre-bid meeting, along with revisions to the construction specifications. Proposers are required to acknowledge receipt of Addendum 1 in the cover letter of their proposal.
Click the link for details
The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) is requesting proposals from qualified contractors for the renovation of a building located at 1405 S. Joshua Ave. in Parker, Arizona, which will serve as the future CRIT Broadband Operations Facility. The project will convert the existing structure into a secure, fully functional center to support CRIT’s expanding broadband network.
A pre-proposal site visit will take place on March 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the project location. Proposals are due by April 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM (Arizona Time).
Follow the link below for details.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL-Broadband building (002)
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/
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.
On July 31, the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was released for the Post-2026 Operational Guidelines and Strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Attorney General’s Office swiftly responded upon its release. There are major highlights to note in both the comment letter and the FEIS.
The release of the FEIS is the next step in the process of Reclamation implementing an operations plan for the upcoming water year beginning on October 1. We expect a Record of Decision (ROD), where Reclamation will identify the overall operational parameters for Lake Powell and Lake Mead for the next 10 years, to be released later this week.
CRIT’s declaration of Personhood Status has made it into the official federal record through the FEIS. For the first time ever, Reclamation has acknowledged that the Colorado River is entitled to protection under CRIT law. While it may appear to be a small acknowledgment within this massive federal document, its significance should not be overlooked because it recognizes CRIT’s sovereign Tribal law and its role in protecting the River for generations to come.
Reclamation removed pro-rata distribution from the Preferred Alternative, as it had previously told Council they would (read about their visit here https://bit.ly/4z4Yl13). The letter acknowledges that the federal government has stated in the Preferred Alternative that it will not impact Tribal water entitlements and that any water transactions must be between willing parties.
While Reclamation removed pro-rata from the Preferred Alternative, it did not remove the language from its initial listing of alternatives. The Attorney General was clear that CRIT will always oppose any approach that could disregard the established priority system by allocating shortages proportionally among water users, including those with senior rights, instead of following the law and protecting senior Tribal rights.
Despite these important developments, Reclamation did not fully address CRIT’s earlier comments, and concerns remain with the Final EIS. It continues to incorrectly group CRIT with Tribes that receive water through the Central Arizona Project (CAP). CRIT’s water rights are directly from the Colorado River and are acknowledged in Arizona v. California as the senior-most Tribal right on the Colorado River, which makes CRIT’s water rights fundamentally different from those of Tribes in Central Arizona. Therefore, treating CRIT as though it is similarly situated to CAP Tribes is fundamentally wrong and risks obscuring the legal priority and unique status of CRIT’s water rights.
Just as importantly, CRIT again raised concerns about the lack of meaningful Tribal participation in the broader Basin States negotiation process. CRIT’s position is that Tribal Nations must have a meaningful role in shaping the decisions, not simply an opportunity to comment after those decisions have already taken form.
Quickly filing the comment letter before Reclamation takes any action, and identifying the items in the FEIS where Reclamation failed to address CRIT’s comments, are important parts of the legal process necessary to preserve CRIT’s rights for the future.
Read the comment letter in its entirety and the FEIS below.
Comment Letter
L_Colorado River Indian Tribes_Comments to BOR on Final EIS on Post-2026 Operation Guidelines for Lake Powell and Mead_08022026
FEIS
https://www.usbr.gov/ColoradoRiverBasin/post2026/final-eis/index.html
Chairwoman Amelia Flores:
“The Colorado River Indian Tribes appreciates the continued engagement by the Bureau of Reclamation as the Post-2026 Colorado River operations process moves forward. In response to CRIT’s request Reclamation recently reached out to us and walked us through the portions of the final Environmental Impact Statement relating to changes made to the document in response to comments CRIT raised during the process, but we were not shown the entire statement.
We are encouraged that Reclamation has acknowledged in the final EIS the recent action taken by Tribal Council acknowledging the Colorado River is alive and entitled to protection under CRIT Tribal law.We are also encouraged the final preferred alternative does not include allocating shortages on a pro rata basis for all water users, but instead any allocation of shortages would occur through the existing priority system or through agreements between willing parties. As long as federal agencies follow the law CRIT’s senior water rights will be protected.
We remain concerned that the BIA’s failure to properly maintain our irrigation systems adversely impacts on our ability to conserve and properly use our Colorado River water allocation.
We are mindful of the significant shortages that will be borne by tribal and other water users elsewhere in Arizona and we remain hopeful that an agreement between the United States, and the seven basin states that respects tribal sovereignty will be reached.
At the same time, we remain concerned that the highly compressed schedule severely limits our ability to conduct a comprehensive review before the document becomes final. The conversation with Reclamation was helpful, but it was not government-to-government consultation. Going forward, as the preferred alternative is being implemented, CRIT expects true consultation that respects our sovereign status and provides adequate time for meaningful review and input.”
Vice Chairman Dwight Lomayesva:
“This consultation was a good start. Our immediate need is to protect CRIT’s allocation and ensure the federal government follows the law. When received, CRIT will evaluate the final EIS and protect the Tribe’s rights, resources, and future on the Colorado River.”
