CRIT’s Senior Water Rights Explained
The Colorado River has always sustained the Colorado River Indian Tribes, and protecting it means understanding CRIT’s history, sovereignty, and senior water rights. This presentation by Lead Water Counsel John Bezdek walks Tribal Members through the timeline of CRIT’s connection to the river from the original establishment of the Reservation in 1865, to major court […]
Bureau of Reclamation visits CRIT for a Government-to-Government Consultation
Deputy Commissioner David Palumbo and Representatives from the Bureau of Reclamation (referred to as Reclamation) met with the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Tribal Council on June 1st, 2026. This meeting was called a Government-to-Government consultation for on-going dialogue specifically regarding the development of the finalized Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS is a federal […]
CRIT Updates Interior Department on Water, Agriculture, and Infrastructure Needs
Andrea Travnicek, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science, recently toured the Colorado River Indian Reservation with Chairwoman Amelia Flores, ‘Amat Kuhwely Farms Manager Joshua Moore, Deputy Attorney General Travis Nez, Lead Water Attorney John Bezdek, Water Resources Director Dillon Esquerra, and Fish & Game Wildlife Manager Alexander Kalinowski. The goal of the […]
Colorado River Update Meetings Scheduled
CRIT Hosts Health Fair
The CRIT Department of Health and Social Services hosted its Health Fair on Wednesday, June 24, at Irataba Hall. The event brought together departments and programs from across the community to share helpful resources and important health information. There was food, games, raffles, and free shaved ice provided by Uncle Phil’s Awesome Snow Shaved Ice. […]
Southwest Water Leaders Sign MOU to Explore Framework for Interstate Exchanges Ceremony highlights commitment to explore future water supply agreements across state lines
Congratulations CRIT & Parker Graduates
Last week was filled with proud moments, happy tears, and celebrations as students across the community marked important milestones in their educational journeys. The celebrations began Thursday, May 21, with the Parker Alternative Graduation ceremony that morning. Later that evening, families gathered again as students from Wallace Jr. High and Le Pera Elementary School took part in their promotion ceremonies, marking their […]
Update on Post 2026 Process: Reclamation Accepts Tribal Council Position: No Pro-Rata Cuts on CRIT Water
The Bureau of Reclamation told all 30 Tribal Nations in the Colorado River Basin on May 8th that they will no longer seek to allocate across-the-board shortages to all water users as previously proposed but instead will follow current law and respect senior tribal rights. This is a major victory for CRIT, Tribal rights advocates, […]
CRIT History: Charles Debrille Poston
During the mid-1800s, as the American Southwest was rapidly changing, Charles Debrille Poston emerged as one of the key figures helping shape the future of Arizona. A strong promoter of the region and its opportunities, Poston would later earn the nickname “Father of Arizona” for his efforts to establish Arizona as its own territory. Poston […]
Statement by Tribal Council on the Recent Press Reports of a Lower Basin Proposal for Management of the Colorado River
In early May , there were press reports regarding the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California, and Nevada releasing a proposal on how to manage shortages on the Colorado River system through the end of 2028. The proposal identifies how current and future shortages on the Colorado River system will be apportioned among the three […]