Water worries are top of mind for Arizonans, poll shows
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Water is a major concern across the American West and nowhere more so than in Arizona, according to a new poll.
Why it matters: The numbers from the annual Conservation in the West poll suggest conservation isn't a niche issue — it's political bedrock in eight Southwest and Rocky Mountain states.
State of play: The 2026 poll, a bipartisan survey conducted annually by Colorado College, showed 93% of Arizona respondents list inadequate water supplies as a serious problem, and 71% say it's a very serious one.
- Both figures were the highest of any state in the poll.
Zoom in: Respondents from all Colorado River states said they support an agreement requiring reduced water usage, with the largest majorities in Arizona (85%), Colorado (87%) and Nevada (84%).
- The poll was completed weeks before Colorado River states missed a key federal deadline for a new agreement on cuts and conservation.
Yes, but: While everyone agreed states need to conserve water to preserve the Colorado River, the poll doesn't indicate who respondents think should do the conserving.
- The lower basin states of Arizona, California and Nevada have repeatedly called for upper basin states Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming to take additional cuts, which they've strongly resisted.
The big picture: From President Trump's first term to his second, Westerners have become more intensely concerned about the rollback of environmental protections.
Driving the news: 84% of Western voters say backpedaling on laws that protect land, water and wildlife is a serious concern, up from 68% in 2018.
- 86% say spending cuts to national parks, forests and other public lands are a problem.
- The sentiment crosses party lines. 75% of MAGA-aligned voters agree that spending cuts on national parks and public lands are a serious issue, the poll finds.
The intrigue: Entering the midterm election cycle, 85% of voters say conservation issues are a deciding factor in who they will pick on the ballot.
Between the lines: Arizonans cited population growth (57%), climate change (57%) and aging water infrastructure (57%) as their biggest concerns.
How it works: The poll was conducted by a bipartisan research team from Jan. 2-18 and surveyed 3,419 people from Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
- 479 of the respondents were from Arizona.