Basin Brief January 9, 2026
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 […]
Basin Brief January 6, 2026
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 […]
CRIT’s Water Legacy: A Powerful Position as Owners of the Colorado River on the World Stage
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. […]
Basin Brief January 5, 2026
KJZZ – Arizona water chiefs report movement in Colorado River talks, potential Lake Powell protections Arizona water leaders say there is some movement in long-stalled Colorado River negotiations, including discussions around protecting critical elevations at Lake Powell. While no agreement has been reached, officials describe cautious progress as pressure mounts ahead of post-2026 management decisions. Mohave Valley Daily News – Arizona bill […]
Basin Brief December 31st
As 2025 came to a close and 2026 began, water issues across Arizona and the Colorado River Basin remained front and center. New reporting highlighted continued uncertainty around Colorado River negotiations, growing concern over snowpack levels, and major developments in local groundwater and community water planning. Local Groundwater and Community Water Planning In western Arizona, the Parker Pioneer reports that an Active Management Area is being proposed for the Ranegras […]
Colorado River and Regional Water Updates | December 30, 2025
By Ariana Romero Reporter, CRIT Media As 2025 comes to a close, new reporting shows Colorado River negotiations narrowing toward what many leaders describe as a final window for agreement, while local water solutions and long-term risks continue to take shape across the Southwest. ABC15 Arizona reports that Colorado River states may only have one […]
Person of Interest – Andrew Quillen
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 […]
Enrollment Board Opening
Colorado River and Regional Water Updates | December 26
As the year comes to a close, new reporting underscores how unresolved negotiations, worsening climate impacts, and continued growth are colliding across the Colorado River Basin. The Lake Havasu News-Herald reports that federal officials are demanding compromise from Basin states as water shortages deepen. Despite repeated warnings, states remain divided, prompting stronger signals that the […]
Person of Interest- Alex Covarrubias CRIT Utilities Director.
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 […]