Tribal Water Rights to Play Role in Colorado River’s Dry Future

Tribal water rights are emerging as one of the biggest wild cards in resolving the water shortage in the drought-stricken Colorado River Basin, one of the West’s most pressing water supply and environmental justice challenges, water law experts say.

Tribes say they want a prominent seat at the table as states come together this week at the Colorado River Water Users Association conference in Las Vegas to discuss how states can cut water use in the increasingly dry Colorado River Basin.

“We are trying to be part of the decision-makers and what’s happening,” said Manuel Heart, chairman of Colorado’s Ute ...