Representative-Elect Adelita Grijalva holds press conference in Yuma County

UPDATE: Representative-Elect Adelita Grijalva joined local leaders at Gateway Park Monday to talk about the future of the Colorado River.

The group highlighted how drought and climate change are impacting water, agriculture, and communities that depend on the river.

Rep.-Elect Grijalva stressed the need to protect Arizona's water supply and called on the federal government to maintain strong climate protections.

"If you look at how it's affecting our monsoons, they're almost nonexistent. I mean, before there used to be months where, like, every day was rainy. Now it's like a day, maybe two. And that is definitely impacting our water table and impacting our groundwater," Grijalva expressed.

Grijalva said the overuse of the Colorado River is hurting the Desert Southwest, and says she plans to work closely with local leaders and tribal nations to find solutions.

Earlier in the day, Grijalva visited the Somerton Senior Center to talk about how the government shutdown and the delay of her swearing in is impacting families across the Desert Southwest.

To learn more about that story, click here.

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) - Representative-Elect Adelita Grijalva will be making her rounds in Yuma County Monday.

Grijalva will be visiting the Desert Valley Senior Center in Somerton at 10:30 a.m. to discuss priorities and concerns of local residents, including how the ongoing delay on her swearing-in has affected services for families and seniors.

Griljalva will then be hosting a news conference at 1:00 p.m. at Gateway Park. 

The conference aims to draw attention to the effects of climate change have on our communities, particularly along the Colorado River, where dipping levels pose a threat to the river's health and the welfare of the communities that depend on it.

Adrik Vargas have more on her visit later this evening.