July 28, 2026 9:35 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
July 28, 2026 9:35 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
All proposals are due to CRIT HR by March 12, 2025
Follow the link to download the RFP
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.
Several outlets reported on the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which outlines how the Colorado River could be managed after current rules expire in 2026.
The draft lays out five possible management alternatives for operating Lake Powell and Lake Mead, including options where the federal government steps in if Basin states cannot agree. Federal officials acknowledge that a temporary or stopgap deal may be necessary if negotiations remain stalled. These decisions will directly affect how water is released downstream.
As a senior water rights holder, CRIT’s rights and sovereignty must be protected in any final plan. The draft process is a critical opportunity for tribal input.
Coverage from Nevada and Utah outlets explains that while states continue negotiations, deep disagreements remain over how water cuts should be shared. Federal officials are signaling they are prepared to act if consensus is not reached.Some articles describe this moment as a turning point, where long-standing assumptions about water use are being challenged and previously “untouchable” practices are now on the table.
If states fail to agree, federal decisions could reshape river operations. Tribal nations must be included to ensure historic rights are not overlooked.
California-focused reporting explains how the draft federal plan could require additional water cuts, even during wet years. Officials emphasize that recent storms do not erase long-term shortages caused by overuse and climate change.
California’s use affects overall Basin stability. How cuts are distributed influences downstream reliability for Lower Basin users.
Multiple sources covered Arizona’s continued focus on groundwater protection, including new Active Management Areas and enforcement actions tied to large agricultural water users. These efforts are framed as necessary as Colorado River supplies remain uncertain.
As surface water becomes less reliable, pressure shifts to groundwater. Strong regulation helps prevent over-pumping that could undermine regional water security and tribal resources.
Nonprofit and policy reporting highlights a key admission from federal officials: a full, long-term Colorado River agreement may not be ready by 2026, making interim solutions likely. (more…)
Bureau of Reclamation – The Bureau of Reclamation released its long-awaited Draft Environmental Impact Statement outlining potential strategies for managing Lake Powell and Lake Mead after 2026, when current operating guidelines expire. The draft presents multiple alternatives, including scenarios where the federal government steps in if Basin states fail to reach agreement. No preferred alternative has been selected yet, keeping negotiations open.This document will directly shape how Colorado River water is managed in the future. Tribal water rights, sovereignty, and protections for the river itself must be recognized in any final decision.
Lake Powell Chronicle – This piece outlines which players are involved in current negotiations and what each is seeking, including states, tribes, and federal agencies.Who is “at the table” determines whose rights and values are reflected in the final outcome. Tribal voices remain essential.
Tucson Sentinel – Despite recent storms and heavy rainfall in Phoenix, much of Arizona remains in long-term drought. Experts caution that short-term rain does not replenish groundwater or stabilize Colorado River supplies. Reinforces that reliance on weather alone will not protect tribal water rights or the river.
Arizona Water News – Arizona Department of Water Resources hydrologists are conducting field investigations across multiple basins to better understand groundwater use and conditions. Increased groundwater scrutiny reflects growing pressure as Colorado River supplies tighten, which can affect regional water demand and policy.
KLAS CBS 8 – Forces aligning against healthy snowpack for Colorado River states
Experts warn that warming temperatures, dry spells, and climate trends are working against the development of a healthy snowpack, threatening future river flows. Snowpack is the river’s primary source. Poor conditions upstream affect all downstream users.
Colorado Public Radio / The Hill – House fails to override Trump veto of Colorado water project
Lawmakers failed to override a presidential veto blocking a major Colorado water infrastructure project, leaving future water deliveries uncertain.Delays in infrastructure add pressure to existing Colorado River supplies. (more…)
KGUN 9 Tucson – Group urges Sahuarita to review Hudbay groundwater agreement
Community advocates are calling for closer review of groundwater agreements tied to mining operations, citing long-term water security concerns.
Cave Creek/Carefree Independent – Water at the forefront of Tuesday meetings
Local leaders are increasingly focused on water planning as development and supply concerns grow.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat – California’s largest reservoir rises 36 feet as rains boost water supply statewide. Storms have boosted reservoir levels in California, but officials caution that snowpack remains below what is needed for long-term security.
GV Wire – Winter storms wipe out drought in California, for now
California officials stress that recent rains offer short-term relief but do not end the drought.
CBS News – Colorado’s snowpack woes continue into 2026
Colorado snowpack remains well below average, heightening concern for river flows later this year.
Salt Lake Tribune – The Great Salt Lake enters 2026 uncomfortably close to record lows.
Low water levels highlight the broader regional water crisis tied to climate change and overuse.
Engineering News-Record – At Lake Powell, engineering is outpacing Colorado River policy.
Engineers are adapting dam operations to keep the system functioning, even as policymakers lag behind on long-term solutions.
The Colorado River is not just a water source for the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT); it is the foundation of life, culture, and survival on the Reservation. It sustains farms and families, supports wildlife, and holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning for the Tribes who have lived along its banks for generations. For CRIT, decisions about the river are not abstract policy debates, they directly affect the Tribe’s ability to live, govern, and prosper for future generations.
That reality framed a series of high-level meetings held alongside the Colorado River Water Users Association (CRWUA) Conference, where CRIT was represented by a unified and prepared delegation consisting of Tribal Council, legal counsel, the CRIT Attorney General’s Office, Public Affairs, and the Tribe’s Washington, D.C. and Phoenix lobbying teams, all actively engaged in advancing and defending CRIT’s water rights and sovereignty.
This delegation engaged in multiple meetings with neighboring tribes, federal agencies, state representatives, and regional water districts. As the Colorado River Basin approaches major changes after 2026, these discussions focused on the future of the river, tribal water rights, and CRIT’s role as a sovereign water authority.
At the center of these discussions was a clear and unwavering position from CRIT: the Tribe’s senior water rights, tribal sovereignty, and responsibility to protect the Colorado River are not negotiable. CRIT Deputy Attorney General Travis Nez explained that the Tribe is expanding its agricultural footprint by investing in and growing farming operations on the Reservation. This ensures that the Tribe’s water is put to use on tribal lands to generate the greatest possible economic benefit for the community. While many water users across the Basin are reducing agricultural use, CRIT is intentionally increasing on-reservation water use to reclaim water that has historically gone unused and to convert it into long-term economic benefits for the Tribe.
CRIT leadership and the Tribe is fully cognizant that neighboring and downstream entities have economically benefited for decades from CRIT’s unused Colorado River allocation. This includes large regional water agencies such as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Their Colorado River Aqueduct diverts water at Lake Havasu upstream of the CRIT Reservation, supporting municipal growth and generating substantial economic value. Simultaneously, CRIT’s own ability to fully use its water has long been constrained by outdated irrigation infrastructure constructed and controlled by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). (more…)
When people talk about climate change, it can sound political or exaggerated, but at its core, it’s about environmental changes we can measure over time. Scientists like Brad Udall, who studies long-term weather patterns, have found that the Earth’s average temperature has risen slightly over the past century, mostly because of how people consume energy. When coal, gas, or oil is burned, it releases gases that trap more heat in the atmosphere, like a blanket wrapped around the planet. Despite whether someone believes it is man-made or not, climate change forces us to pay attention, and develop methods to protect the land and water that sustain us.
On Monday, September 29th, Udall, an internationally recognized scientist on water and climate change from Colorado State University, visited the Colorado River Indian Reservation to share his latest findings on the Colorado River. He spoke with Tribal leaders about what the future may hold.
Udall is known for his research on the connection between climate change and river systems in the American West. He has spent decades studying how heat, drought, and rainfall affect water levels, especially in the Colorado River Basin. Additionally, Udall co-wrote parts of the U.S. National Climate Assessment, and has testified before the United States Congress about the effects of climate change on western water supplies. His work focuses on researching solutions that balance the needs of people, agriculture, and the environment.
When Udall met with Tribal leadership at the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Council Chambers, he was greeted by Chairwoman Amelia Flores, Councilwoman Vanessa Welch, CRIT Attorney General Rebecca Loudbear, CRIT Water Resources Director Dillion Esquerra, CRIT Realty Commercial Manager Herman “TJ” Lafoon Jr., and CRIT Lead Water Attorney John Bezdek.
During his presentation, Udall explained that flows in the Colorado River have dropped about 20% since the year 2000, and that precipitation – the rain and snow that feed the river – is also down about 20%. He said several studies have found that this isn’t just a temporary drought, but a long-term trend he believes is caused largely by human-driven climate change. Temperatures are rising across the Southwest, and according to Udall, “We are now on target for 3 degrees Celsius of warming by the year 2100.” Udall reiterated that his studies show this increase in temperatures is based on an average of estimates, and that temperatures in certain areas, including the desert southwest, could see higher increases.
Udall described the situation as serious and with little optimism. He shared that some scientists are exploring ideas like adding sulfur dioxide to the atmosphere to help cool the planet, though he said most researchers are cautious about such steps because they involve more human interference in nature. “It’s not a perfect solution,” he explained, “but it shows how far people are thinking about how to slow down the warming.” Councilwoman Vanessa Welsh was thankful for Udall’s frankness about the situation stating, “Many of us do know this, but we don’t hear it very often…We intend to protect the river as one of our own.” (more…)
The Department of Revenue and Finance Welcomes Director
The Colorado River Indian Tribes is pleased to welcome Andrew Quillen as the new Director of the Revenue and Finance Department.
Mr. Quillen is a CRIT tribal member who was born and raised in the community. He brings both professional experience and a deep personal connection to the reservation into his new leadership role. He has worked for the Tribes for the past three years and has steadily grown within the department.
Mr. Quillen earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in management from the University of La Verne. Upon returning to Parker, he began his career with the Tribes as a tax examiner and revenue agent. He quickly found that the work aligned with his long-standing interest in business, compliance, and economic development.
When the former Revenue and Finance Director was elected to Tribal Council, Mr. Quillen felt it was the right time to step forward and continue the work the department had already established. His background in sales, service, and compliance has helped shape his understanding of how the department supports businesses and the community as a whole.
As a lifelong community member, Mr. Quillen understands the economic landscape of the reservation and the opportunities for growth. One of his personal goals is to see more tribal members become business owners. Being part of the reservation’s continued development is something that holds special meaning for him. (more…)
The Colorado River Indian Tribes Utilities Department has welcomed a familiar face into its leadership, naming Alex Covarrubias Jr. as the new Utilities Director.
Covarrubias is a Parker and Poston local who grew up in the community he now serves. His career in the water industry began in 2013, giving him more than a decade of hands-on and leadership experience in the field.
He started his professional journey working in Big River for three years before joining CRIT Utilities, where he served as Water Department Supervisor. During his time with the Tribe, Covarrubias gained valuable experience learning the day-to-day operations of the department and the importance of understanding the work from the ground up.
“Learning the ins and outs of the job builds character,” Covarrubias said. “I’m glad I was able to learn from the bottom.”
In 2022, he stepped away from CRIT Utilities to continue building his experience, working with the Rural Water Association of Arizona. Along with his previous roles, Covarrubias has spent years in management and believes that with a good attitude and strong work ethic, he can be an effective leader.
Returning to CRIT Utilities as Director is a full-circle moment for Covarrubias, and one he says he is excited about.
CRIT Utilities oversees essential services including water, wastewater, and solid waste for the reservation. Having spent years doing hands-on work in the field, Covarrubias believes that experience helps him better support his team. (more…)
