The Colorado River has been undergoing an ever-worsening drought over the last 15+ years as a result of rising temperatures in the area. The federal government has officially declared a water shortage on the river, which provides for seven states, two countries, and dozens of indigenous tribes. The rules about how to divide up the river and the guidelines that determine who gets how much water from the river were written over a century ago and have not been fully updated. Until now. The U.S Bureau of Reclamation, among other agencies, will be entering negotiations with state leaders and other stakeholders and decision makers to determine the new rules on who is entitled to Colorado River water and how much they will get (this is called allocation). Historically, indigenous tribes, which have the oldest claims to the water and effective methods for conservation, have been left out of decision making about the Colorado River. It is crucial that indigenous groups have a seat at the table during this round of negotiations. They must be given a voice and their input must be genuinely valued as we navigate this turning point for the Colorado River and our Earth’s climates overall.