On April 1st, 2026, Senator Ruben Gallego visited the Colorado River Indian Reservation. Upon the visit, he came to the Tribal Council Chambers and met with Chairwoman Amelia Flores, Vice Chairman Dwight Lomayesva, Council Secretary Josephine Tahbo, Councilwoman Vanessa Welch, Councilman Billy Beeson, Councilman Tommy Drennan, Councilwoman Raeanne Patch, and Councilwoman Tracey Quillen. Chairwoman Amelia Flores and Councilman Drennan thanked him for coming to CRIT, and spoke on the pro-rata decisions that are being considered for the Colorado River in its recent publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). They expressed a deep concern for the decisions stating that pro-rata is in many ways unlawful, and goes directly against their seniority water rights.
Furthermore, Senator Gallego took a small tour with Chairwoman Flores, members of Council, and lead water attorney John Bezdek with Joshua Moore as their tour guide on the reservation. The last stop was at the Colorado River Sewage System Joint Venture where they met with Town of Parker Mayor Randy Hartless, Vice Mayor Zafer Genc, Town Manager Nora Yackley, Council member Joshua Grenwalt, and Operations Manager Ashley Longanecker. The tour of the facility was led by Longanecker who emphasized the importance of fixing the sewage system for Parker and the Reservation, which was clearly displayed in its decaying state in need of desperate repairs.
During the visit and the tour, Gallego listened to the concerns coming from members of council and Town of Parker commending the great leadership and working relationship between reservation and town. Throughout his tenure as Senator, Gallego has consistently worked with tribal nations across Arizona, maintaining direct relationships with tribal leadership and supporting legislation impacting Indian Country. We rely on Senator Gallego to continue to be that voice in D.C concerning CRIT’s continuing infrastructure problem and the DEIS from the Bureau of Reclamation.
Read CRIT’s official remarks concerning the DEIS, you can read the article here – CRIT Tells Feds Loud and Clear: The New Plan for Colorado River Operations May Threaten Our Water Rights