Government

Articles

Visit Colfax County Commission Meetings page or the Raton City Commission Meetings page to read reports of the regularly schedule commission meetings.

State Agencies Assist in Winter Storm Response

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Michael Coleman  
Office of the Governor 
Michael.coleman@exec.nm.gov   

November 8, 2024 

SANTA FE – Since Wednesday, multiple state agencies have supported local emergency managers and public safety teams as New Mexico faced severe winter weather.  

  • New Mexico State Police officers and the New Mexico Department of Transportation have responded to numerous calls and have assisted hundreds of stranded motorists. 
  • The Department of Transportation has deployed approximately 200 snowplows, loaders, and graders to clear roads statewide. Crews have been working around the clock in 12-hour shifts, continuing through the weekend.  
  • The New Mexico National Guard is helping clear roads in Las Vegas, and the State Emergency Operations Center has activated to coordinate resources and oversee the multi-agency response.  
  • The Health Care Authority in collaboration with the Red Cross, is standing up warming shelters as needed. 
  • The NM Department of Agriculture is reaching out to producers affected by the storm to assess whether they need feed and other supplies.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued two statewide emergency declarations this week that unlock $1.5 million in state funding to support state agencies responding to the winter storm blanketing much of New Mexico. 

“New Mexico’s first responders worked around the clock — in harsh winter conditions — to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “To every state and emergency employee: your hard work during these difficult times does not go unnoticed. Thank you for all you do to keep us safe.” 

Executive Orders 2024-158 and 2024-159 direct the New Mexico Department of Finance Administration to allocate $750,000 to the New Mexico National Guard and $750,000 to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for emergency response efforts. 

Residents can call the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHSEM) disaster response and recovery call center at 1-833-663-4736. The hotline will be available 24/7 until further notice to answer questions about storm impacts and help residents connect to resources. 

With road conditions still dangerous in some places, residents are reminded to stay off the roads as much as possible and take the necessary precautions to stay safe. Safety information for winter weather and warming center locations can be found at dhsem.nm.gov/severeweather. Road conditions and closures are available at nmroads.com. In the event of an emergency, including being stranded on the side of the road, call 911. 

Article-divider

Colfax County Sheriff Baca Swears in Sergeant Jonathan Hernandez

Posted November 7, 2024

Congratulations to Sergeant Jonathan Hernandez!

On November 1, 2024, Sheriff Baca proudly swore in Jonathan Hernandez as the newest Sergeant for the Colfax County Sheriff’s Office. With many years of law enforcement experience, Sergeant Hernandez brings invaluable knowledge and dedication to our office. His strong commitment to the safety and well-being of Colfax County and its residents is truly commendable.

Article-divider

Lodgers Tax Advisory Board Approves News Media Grant, Postpones Sugarite Webseries

Posted July 20, 2024

By Niko Inbanez

The Lodgers Tax Advisory Board met July 17 to deliberate on the city’s meticulously budgeted lodgers tax. Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci presented a detailed review of June’s 2024 budget reports. The comparison highlighted a gradual downward trend compared to the past two fiscal years, ending this year with $466,161. This decrease signals a potential deficit starting the new fiscal year. A more accurate financial picture is expected by September or October.

Antonucci noted that an ordinance change involving short-term rental revenue would be required, a process that could take one to two months. This change aims to level the playing field for established lodgers competing with a growing number of short-term rentals. Additional revenue lines, such as $70,000 allocated for Shuler Theater, were also emphasized for immediate action due to the building’s historical significance and high traffic.

The commission is considering increasing the contingency fund to accommodate new billboards, a monthly expense. The final budget, approved on July 23, will be submitted to the state by July 31 to initiate a two-month period during which no changes can be made.

Connie Martinez, advertising lead from the local digital newspaper The Ratonian, presented a formal deal to the city. The Ratonian, a woman-owned business, has been recognized by the New Mexico News Accelerator Program due to Raton’s status as a “news desert.” Martinez highlighted a significant increase in website traffic, attributed to the posting of high school senior photos, which attracted visitors from outside Raton. The board approved a premium sidebar agreement which involves a total investment of $3,600 over a 48-week period.

Gabriel Neel, host of the Colt Balok Show, and their Chief of Staff Brandon Tyler presented their bid to promote the area through their TV talk show. The Colt Balok Show, New Mexico’s only TV talk show, aims to showcase “truth, goodness, and beauty.” Neel and Gav proposed a segment featuring Colt learning to camp at Sugarite Canyon, framed as Raton’s hidden gem. This segment would highlight the area’s appeal to young families and outdoor enthusiasts.

Board Member Sandra Young suggested waiting until the construction of additional assets, such as cabins and rock climbing trails, is completed before producing the series. Neel expressed concern about potential delays affecting their timeline and budget. A motion to postpone the vote until the August LTAB meeting was passed.

Patricia Duran reported on the digital metrics for ExploreRaton. She  reported a notable increase in digital traffic with 2,100 visitors primarily from Google, New Mexico, and Texas. The click-through rate stood at 10.3%, with 589 visitors on the family fun page. While TikTok metrics have dropped, Facebook remains the leading platform for local engagement. Upcoming changes include a new highway billboard welcoming visitors to Raton and ongoing updates to the ExploreRaton website. Duran emphasized the importance of a streamlined digital footprint and professional photography to enhance Raton’s online presence.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the need for regular analytics updates from any party receiving funds via the lodgers tax to monitor the effectiveness of these initiatives.

Share on Social Media