Arizona Mayors Unite in Coalition Amid Colorado River Water Rights Negotiations

Arizona cities have formed a coalition called the "Coalition for Protecting Arizona’s Lifeline" to address the critical challenge of Colorado River water rights amid ongoing drought and increasing demand. The coalition unites 22 mayors and water users across the state to advocate for Arizona’s interests in negotiations over the allocation of the river’s dwindling supply, which is governed by agreements set to expire next year. Arizona holds junior water rights, placing it at the bottom of the priority list and facing inevitable cuts, with the state expecting an 18% reduction in its annual allotment. Leaders emphasize the need for statewide collaboration, conservation efforts, and mutual respect among basin states, highlighting the importance of protecting water for cities like Phoenix and Tucson. The coalition also aims to showcase Arizona's water conservation initiatives and calls on all users, including farms and neighboring states, to contribute to sustainable water management. Officials warn that failure to act collectively could have severe consequences and stress that every Arizonan can help by conserving water locally.