New Poll: 75% of Arizona Voters Demand Action on Colorado River Water Security

PHOENIX, AZ  – With Arizona lawmakers and the Governor negotiating the state budget for the next fiscal year, a new statewide poll delivers an unambiguous signal from voters: fund water security for the Colorado River now.  Arizona voters overwhelmingly support creating a Colorado River Protection Fund by a margin of more than 10-to-1 (75% support, just 7% oppose). When asked what they want their legislators to focus on most, "water and Colorado River protection" ranked first, ahead of inflation, border security, taxes, and education.

The poll, conducted by Cygnal – a conservative polling firm recently ranked as the nation’s most accurate private polling firm – finds that water supply and Colorado River protection is the top legislative priority for Arizona voters (50%), surpassing other top-of-mind issues including inflation (47%), border security (30%), taxes (29%), and education (26%). This concern cuts across party lines: water ranks first among Democrats and Independents, and second among Republicans, behind only border security.

 Overwhelming Bipartisan Support for Immediate State Investment

 The poll finds broad, durable support across party lines for lawmakers to fund water security now – and clear voter expectations:

• Water is Arizona’s top legislative priority. 94% of likely voters say the legislature should make water security a budget priority this session.  
• Voters want action now, not later. When forced to choose, 69% say water security requires immediate state investment even if it means budget tradeoffs, compared to just 21% who say other priorities should come first.  
• Support is bipartisan and broad. 84% of Democrats, 77% of Independents, and 66% of Republicans favor state funding specifically to address Colorado River supply challenges.  
• Voters expect action. 90% say it's important that their legislators prioritize Colorado River action in this state budget. 67% say they would view their legislator more favorably for supporting the fund — versus just 9% unfavorably.

 These survey results land as Arizona lawmakers continue to negotiate a state budget with only weeks left in the legislative session.

 What Arizona Leaders Are Saying:

 A wide array of organizations are highlighting the results of the poll, including Agribusiness and Water Council of Arizona, Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, Arizona Wildlife Federation, Audubon Southwest, Business for Water Stewardship, Freeport-McMoRan, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Valley Partnership.

“These exceptional polling results are about as clear a mandate from voters as you can get,” said Haley Paul, Senior Director for Policy at Audubon Southwest. “Arizonans from every political stripe are sending a clear signal to the state Capitol: Arizona water security must be a defining issue of this budget. Voters expect state lawmakers to act now to secure state funding to protect the Colorado River and help stabilize the system in the wake of this dry winter.”

 “Healthy watersheds result in reliable water supplies,” said Jackie Corbin, Arizona Field Representative for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Given the rapidly declining water levels throughout the Colorado River Basin, it is imperative that state leaders take action to ensure short- and long-term water availability. Allocating state funds to secure Arizona’s water future by investing in Colorado River infrastructure and restoration efforts is a crucial step toward protecting Arizona’s natural heritage, including the fish and wildlife hunters and anglers deeply value.”

 “Strategically managing Arizona’s Colorado River and groundwater supplies is essential to Arizona’s growing population and economy,” said Clark Princell, President and CEO of Valley Partnership. “As a state, we must recognize the critical linkages between meeting current and future water needs for housing and economic growth. To do that, we need reliable water supplies.”  

 “Arizona is a national leader in the production of critical metals and minerals essential to our country’s economy and national security,” said Sandy Fabritz, Director of Water Strategy for Freeport-McMoRan. “Reliable access to Colorado River water supplies is essential to continued production of these resources and the mining sector’s role in creating high-paying jobs and supporting local communities.”

 “Failure to stabilize the Colorado River system risks our state’s water security and continued economic prosperity,” said Warren Tenney, Executive Director of the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association. “This poll highlights the importance of Arizona investing in conservation measures, strengthening the reliability of our existing water supplies, and pursuing new water supplies to ensure our communities and state thrive for generations.”  

 “The Colorado River is a lifeline for Arizona agriculture,” said Stephanie Knight-Dubien, Executive Director of the Agribusiness and Water Council of Arizona. “Arizona farmers and ranchers are working hard to demonstrate that we can continue to produce a substantial portion of the nation’s overall food supply with water-saving technologies. But Arizona farmers and ranchers need additional resources to ensure that our rural communities continue to thrive in the face of drought and diminished Colorado River water supplies.”

 “Arizona’s economic growth—our ability to build homes, attract businesses, and keep the lights on—runs through the Colorado River,” said Harold Thomas, Associate Director, Business for Water Stewardship. “This poll makes clear that voters expect the Arizona Legislature to invest in protecting this vital resource. Arizona-led solutions that help protect our water supply before the crisis worsens deserve serious consideration.”  

 “In a state where water is so precious, elected leaders must prioritize protection and restoration of our watersheds for the benefit of both Arizonans and wildlife,” said Christian Fauser, Public Lands Coordinator for the Arizona Wildlife Federation. “Arizona’s hunting and angling community offers our strong support for securing funding in this year’s budget to ensure our state’s watersheds continue to provide essential water supplies as well as support our rich heritage of hunting and fishing.”  

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About the Survey

The probabilistic survey was conducted by Cygnal between April 23-25, 2026, among a representative sample of likely Arizona general election voters. It has a margin of error of ±4.00%. Known registered voters were interviewed via online panel and SMS. This survey was weighted to a likely general election voter universe. Cygnal has been recognized by the New York Times and Silver Bulletin as the #1 most accurate private pollster in the country. The poll was commissioned and paid for by Audubon Southwest. 

Arizona Statewide Water Survey Polling Memo

Arizona Statewide Water Survey Polling Results

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Incorporated in 1905, the National Audubon Society is one of the oldest and most effective bird conservation organizations in the Western Hemisphere. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon Southwest is the regional office of the National Audubon Society covering Arizona and New Mexico. Learn more at audubon.org/southwest  

Media Contact: 
Ashley Meadows
ashley.meadows@audubon.org
303-746-4165