Leadership

Sherry Cordova, Chairwoman
Rosa J. Long, Vice Chairwoman
Winnie Ortega, Council Member
Irwin Twist, Council Member
Neil White, Council Member
Lilia Tafoya, Executive Secretary to the Chairwoman

(July 2022 - July 2024)

Contact Information

Address: 14515 S. Veterans Drive

Somerton, AZ 85350

Phone: 928-627-2102

Director of Tribal Health Maintenance Program: Josefina Chavez chavezj@cocopah.com

Tribal Administrator: Elizabeth Benitez beniteze@cocopah.com

Tribal Education Coordinator: Wynnie Ortega cocoed@cocopah.com

Cultural Resources Manager: Justin Brundin brundinj@cocopah.com

Website

GOVERNANCE: The Cocopah Tribe is led by a five-person Tribal Council. Council seats are held for 2-year terms with elections held in July of even-numbered years. Council meetings are held the second Friday of each month. The Cocopah Tribe is in Congressional District 3; Legislative District 4.


CONSTITUTION: 

Cocopah Tribe Constitution, (Adopted 1959, Amended 1964)

Cocopah Tribe Constitution, (Adopted 1959, Amended 1964)
view | download 77.85 KB

COMMUNITY PROFILE: "The Cocopah Sovereignty is the foundation that preserves traditional cultural values and educational empowerment for a healthier way of life." - Cocopah Tribe Vision Statement, Adopted May 2012.

The Cocopah Indian Tribe, known as the River People, have lived along the lower Colorado River for centuries. The Cocopah Reservation was established in 1917, and in 1964 the Tribe established a Tribal Council. The Cocopah Indian Tribe is one of seven descendant Tribes from the Yuman language-speaking people that lived along the Colorado River. Although the Cocopah people had no written language, history and traditions have been passed down orally and through the diaries and journals of outside travelers along the Colorado River. According to the 2021 Census, approximately 1,252 individuals live on the Cocopah Tribe Reservation in Arizona. 

The Cocopah Tribe is located in the southwest corner of Arizona near the California and Mexico borders. The land area consists of more than 6,500 acres along the lower Colorado River, with a land base of 9.4 square miles. The Cocopah Tribe is actively involved in habitat restoration efforts along the Colorado River. The reservation is comprised of three non-contiguous regions: the North, East, and West Reservations. The East and West Reservations are located 15 minutes from each other on either side of the town of Somerton. The North Reservation is located in Yuma.  

The Cocopah Museum and Cultural Center is located on the West Reservation and includes hand-crafted exhibits, meeting space, and a gift shop.  The museum is surrounded by a 1.5-acre park featuring a traditional dwelling replica made from natural elements.  The Cocopah Tribe also operates the Cocopah Casino, Resort, and Conference Center, the Cocopah Speedway Race Track, the Cocopah RV and Golf Resort, and the Cocopah Rio-Colorado Golf Course. 

 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2017-2021 American Community Survey, the population on the Cocopah reservation is 1,252. The following document provides a Census snapshot of the Cocopah Tribe with comparisons to the state of Arizona and the United States as a whole.

Cocopah Census Data.pdf

Cocopah Census Data.pdf
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Note: When interpreting data for small populations or rural areas, it is important to note the margin of error, which is provided where possible. The margin of error can be interpreted as providing a 90 percent probability that the true value lies within the estimate plus and minus the margin of error.

First Things First is Arizona's early childhood agency, providing health screenings and a variety of services across the state. Included here are their reports on the Cocopah Tribe.

First Things First Regional Needs and Assets Report_2022.pdf

First Things First Regional Needs and Assets Report_2022.pdf
view | download 3.04 MB

First Things First Impact Report_2022.pdf

First Things First Impact Report_2022.pdf
view | download 1.63 MB

First Things First Family Guide.pdf

First Things First Family Guide.pdf
view | download 350.67 KB

Community Resource Guide_2021.pdf

Community Resource Guide_2021.pdf
view | download 1006.58 KB

 

The following reports summarize the businesses and market predictions available on the Cocopah Tribe reservation.

Business Summary_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Business Summary_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 87.96 KB

Business Locator_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Business Locator_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 75.76 KB

Market Profile_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Market Profile_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 145.75 KB

Civilian Labor Force Profile_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Civilian Labor Force Profile_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 84.2 KB

Retail Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Retail Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 146.71 KB

Restaurant Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Restaurant Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 97.76 KB

Finances Market Potential_ 2022 (ESRI).pdf

Finances Market Potential_ 2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 128.42 KB

Electronics and Internet Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Electronics and Internet Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 141.36 KB

Health and Beauty Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Health and Beauty Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 136.65 KB

Pets and Products Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Pets and Products Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 79.13 KB

Sports and Leisure Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Sports and Leisure Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 142.65 KB