The Ute Tribe is among a group pushing for tribal inclusion in Colorado River water decision making. The current policy was negotiated by states in the region in 2007 and it is set to expire in 2026. Tribes are doing the legwork now to ensure they are included in the negotiations moving forward. In a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, the tribes within the Colorado River Basin state that “Basin Tribes hold water rights to approximately 3 million acre-feet of Colorado River water, which equates to about 25% of the river’s current average annual flow…Basin Tribes are aware of ongoing efforts by the Bureau of Reclamation and the seven basin states to adapt the Drought Contingency Plans to the existing and emerging hydrologic conditions, and seek to be involved in these discussions and decisions. Basin Tribes’ involvement in these ongoing decisions, as well as the process of developing the Next Framework, is a necessity with regard to, and in recognition of, the impacts to Basin Tribes of the continuing drought and looming basin-wide shortages.” Ute Indian Tribe Chairman Shaun Chapoose is among the 20 signatures representing 20 tribes to sign the letter.
