By Staff Reporter |

Gov. Katie Hobbs has campaigned on claims of success in negotiating protections for Arizona’s Colorado River water rights — but recent developments have indicated otherwise.  

In late June, the governor promised Arizonans that she had successfully advocated for Arizona’s water rights. Hobbs characterized those negotiations as the “one problem” she solved in her four years as governor in an interview with 12 News.

One month later, the federal government announced that Arizona would face the largest Colorado River water cuts.

In her interview with 12 News, Hobbs indicated that the federal government had been persuaded by her contributions to the Lower Basin negotiations. 

“We took on a lot of tough challenges that have been years in the making,” said Hobbs. “We have made huge progress in prioritizing Arizona’s Colorado River at the federal level to ensure that we can continue our economic position.” 

Hobbs walked into negotiations with arguments no other state could make: Arizona uses Colorado River water to produce more fresh vegetables, advanced missile systems, advanced chip technologies, and critical minerals than other states. Yet, it appears Hobbs failed to make a compelling case for the federal government to divide water cuts more equally. 

“All critical to America’s economic future, our national security, we do that with Colorado River water, and no other state can say that, and we’ve been making that case,” said Hobbs.

The Bureau of Reclamation announced last week that Arizonans would be required to cut water usage by up to 77% in 2027 and 2028. 

Hobbs responded to the mandate with a plea to the federal government to adopt the proposal she and the other Lower Basin states put forward. The governor said she would continue to try to convince the federal government of Arizona’s importance to the nation with its agricultural and national security contributions. 

“As the federal government finalizes their operating plans for 2027 and 2028, my administration will be working around the clock advocating for an approach that protects the stability of the system, distributes water reductions equitably, and ensures water security for all Colorado River water users,” said Hobbs. “I will continue making that case to the federal government and fighting relentlessly to protect Arizona’s fair share of the Colorado River so our families can feel confident we will have the water we need to turn on the taps, nourish our crops, and grow our economy well into the future.”

The Department of the Interior mentioned in its release of the new Colorado River operational guidelines that it had been unsuccessful in reaching a consensus with the basin states over the past six years. 

Biggs described the federal mandate as an “Arizona last” measure, and said that the Upper Basin states — Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming — were behind the years-long lack of consensus. 

In that same June interview, Hobbs said in her view that her historic veto record — more than 500 — didn’t cause Arizonans to lose out on any legislation that provided solutions. 

“I am proud of the fact that I have signed over 800 bipartisan bills into law. I didn’t come here to veto bills,” said Hobbs. 

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