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WNMU Professor Alexandra Neves Named ABE NM University Bilingual Education Professor of the Year

Gregg Morgan
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WNMU Professor Alexandra Neves Named ABE NM University Bilingual Education Professor of the Year

A Western New Mexico University instructor recently earned recognition for excellence in education, bringing pride to the university community. Alexandra Neves received the 2026 University Bilingual Education Professor of the Year Award from the Association of Bilingual Education New Mexico (ABE NM).  The honor recognizes the Associate Dean and College of Education Professor of TESOL/Bilingual Education’s outstanding work. 

ABE NM presented the award during a formal ceremony in April. The organization recognized Neves for her distinguished career and her unwavering advocacy for students’ educational success across the state.

The University Bilingual Education Professor of the Year Award recognizes educators who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to bilingual education. The ceremony brought together education leaders to honor visionaries championing language acquisition and cultural preservation in the Southwest. Neves accepted the award alongside colleagues and peers, marking a milestone in her distinguished journey.

“This recognition belongs to our students and the vibrant communities of New Mexico who remind us every day that language is not just a tool for communication, but a bridge to our heritage and our future,” Neves said. “Empowering the next generation of educators to view bilingualism as a primary asset is the most rewarding work of my career,” Neves said.

Why Neves Earned the Honor

The ABE NM Executive Board selected Neves after a rigorous review of her contributions to higher education. She also serves as chair of the Felipe de Ortego y Gasca Institute. Throughout her tenure, Neves helped shape the next generation of educators. She equipped them with the pedagogical skills and cultural competencies needed to serve New Mexico’s diverse student population

WNMU brought 16 dual enrollment students from WNMU and Deming High School to the conference. The students presented alongside their teachers and received a standing ovation for their puppet show and projects presentations. 

“The session filled quickly as participants were eager to learn more about the students’ experiences as Transfronterizos—crossing the border daily to attend school,” Neves said. The conference featured students’ teachers, who also serve as WNMU adjunct faculty, as keynote speakers. 

Neves’ influence extended well beyond the classroom, according to WNMU. She advocated for instructional practices that treated native languages as essential assets for student development.

In a state with a rich and complex linguistic heritage, Neves helped bridge the gap between academic research and classroom reality. Her efforts improved the instructional quality across the region and fostered learning environments that celebrated and preserved multiple languages.

ABE NM promotes high-quality educational programs for linguistically and culturally diverse students. It hosts an annual conference and leads year-round advocacy efforts to support bilingual education. The organization gives educators opportunities to share best practices and recognize leaders dedicated to the bilingual mission.

UNM Launches Elevate UNM to Modernize Administrative Systems

Gregg Morgan
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UNM Launches Elevate UNM to Modernize Administrative Systems

A new effort at the University of New Mexico aims to improve university operations to better serve students, faculty, and staff. UNM recently launched Elevate UNM, a multi-year initiative to modernize the school’s administrative systems and processes.

UNM’s faculty, staff, and students rely on a wide range of systems every day. These systems support finances, human resources, student services, and other essential university functions. Many of these platforms have served the university well for decades. However, they have become increasingly difficult and costly to maintain.

Through Elevate UNM, the university is building a stronger foundation for the future. UNM will modernize key administrative systems and rethink how work gets done. These upgrades will create a more connected, efficient, and responsive institution. It aims to better support teaching, research, patient care, and service to New Mexicans. 

“This effort is about more than technology,” said UNM Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Teresa Costantinidis. “It is about improving how we work together, reducing administrative burden, providing better access to information, and creating tools that allow faculty and staff to focus more of their time and energy on the work that matters most.”

This fall, UNM will launch the first phase of its transformation by modernizing its finance and human resources systems. It will enhance the student information system and other critical administrative technologies in the future phases. These investments are seen to help UNM’s ability to serve its students, employees, and communities.

Streamlining University Operations

Representatives from across the university participated in a comprehensive procurement and evaluation process. UNM selected Oracle Fusion Cloud to support the first phase of Elevate UNM. The cloud-based solution will replace current finance and human resource systems with a single integrated platform.

UNM reached this decision after months of thorough analysis, collaboration, and careful consideration of its long-term needs. Oracle’s platform will provide enhanced capabilities, improved reporting and analytics, and stronger cross-functional integration. It will also give UNM a flexible foundation that can evolve with the university.


“Implementing a project of this scale will require change, learning, and patience. While some processes will look different in the future, Elevate’s goal is to ensure those changes make our work easier, more effective, and better aligned with the needs of the university,” said Teresa Costantinidis, executive vice president, Finance and Administration.

Benefits of the New Platform

Elevate UNM is about improving the experience of working at the university, according to UNM. The new platform will simplify everyday administrative tasks, from hiring employees to delivering student services. It will also make these processes faster and more transparent.

The new system aims to:

  • Streamline administrative processes and reduce manual work,
  • Improve access to information, reporting, and analytics,
  • Provide more direct-access options for employees and managers,
  • Strengthen One University collaboration across Main Campus, Health Sciences, and branch campuses,
  • Enhance security, compliance, and data stewardship, and
  • Create a sustainable technology foundation for the future.

The improvements will reduce administrative burdens, giving faculty and staff more time to advance UNM’s mission.

UNM will host workshops, testing efforts, training programs, and other engagement initiatives over the coming months. Faculty and staff will have opportunities to participate throughout the process. The university community’s expertise and experience will shape the implementation of the new systems and help ensure long-term success.

Step Back Into 1800s New Mexico With Infantry, Apache Dancers And Living History at Fort Stanton LIVE!

Juan Oliveros
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Step Back Into 1800s New Mexico With Infantry, Apache Dancers And Living History at Fort Stanton LIVE!

History refuses to remain behind museum glass in limestone barracks that have stood for more than 170 years. Instead, it marches across the parade grounds to the cadence of Civil War infantry drills, echoing the thunder of artillery demonstrations and dances in the footsteps of Mescalero Apache performers. And it comes alive in the stories told by historians, artisans, and descendants whose lives remain intertwined with Fort Stanton, one of the American Southwest’s most storied historic sites.

On July 11, the annual Fort Stanton Live celebration will once again turn the historic military post into an immersive portrait of New Mexico’s diverse past. The celebration invites visitors to experience history not as a series of dates but as a continuing conversation among cultures, traditions and generations.

The Fort Stanton Historic Site, established in 1855, occupies a unique place in New Mexico’s story. It ranks among the most intact 19th‑century military forts in the United States and stands as the best‑preserved fort in New Mexico. The historic 240-acre site is a witness to nearly every defining chapter of the territory’s modern history—from the Indian Wars and the Civil War to the Billy the Kid era and the Lincoln County War, the tuberculosis epidemic of the early 20th century, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and even the internment of German merchant sailors during World War II.

But the annual celebration is less about the buildings; it is more about illuminating the people who passed through them.

Throughout the day, visitors can meet costumed interpreters portraying soldiers, settlers, and frontier families. Writers and historians will retell untold episodes in New Mexico’s past, while traditional artisans—including quilters, weavers and potters—demonstrate skills that have lived across centuries. Period musicians will provide a soundtrack that recalls the rhythms of frontier life. At the same time, families can join old-fashioned games and educational activities to make history accessible to the new generations.

Members of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, perhaps, have the most significant presence, and their dancers will perform on the parade grounds. In contrast, other tribal members share traditional arts, crafts, and Indian tacos. Their participation reminds us that Fort Stanton’s story extends beyond military history. The fort was established during conflict with the Mescalero Apache, transforming the cultural presentations not only into entertainment but also into an acknowledgment that New Mexico’s history is both contested and shared.

The event also showcases a shift in how historic sites engage the public. Rather than presenting history as a cold and static collection of artifacts, Fort Stanton Live embarks on immersive storytelling. Visitors can watch blacksmiths at work, listen to authors discussing frontier life, speak directly with actors, and explore buildings whose original purposes remain largely intact. The celebration makes history tactile, audible, and deeply human.

That method of retelling the past resonates particularly in New Mexico, where Indigenous, Hispanic and Anglo traditions have intertwined for centuries, weaving a cultural tapestry unlike anywhere else in the United States. Fort Stanton embodies those intersections. Its buildings were once traversed by Native peoples, guarded by soldiers, visited by ranchers and lawmen, occupied by tuberculosis patients seeking healing mountain air, and eventually transformed to fulfill different roles as the country developed.

Communities across the country may continue to debate how history should be remembered or celebrated. But Fort Stanton provides a different model—one that invites multiple voices into the narrative rather than highlighting a single version of the past.

The grounds become more than a historic landmark on July 11. They become a community where military heritage, Indigenous culture, traditional craftsmanship and community memory coexist.

Visitors may arrive expecting entertainment. They will leave with a deeper understanding of New Mexico’s history. And that it is not confined to textbooks or preserved behind glass—it is still being told, one story at a time.

877 Fireworks Complaints in One Night. Albuquerque Crews Battle Fires as Holiday Celebrations Turn Dangerous

Ruben Reyes
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The Fourth of July weekend has ended, and Albuquerque Fire Rescue reported receiving 877 calls to the city’s 311 system related to fireworks overnight.

The AFR Fire Marshal’s Office issued 62 cease-and-desist orders during the holiday, more than the total number issued during the rest of the year before the Fourth of July. The department did not clarify whether all of the orders linked directly to fireworks complaints.

According to AFR, crews responded Saturday to one major structure fire and two wildland fires, including a bosque fire in the foothills. Officials have not determined whether fireworks played a role in igniting those fires.

In neighboring Sunland Park, fireworks sparked seven brush fires Saturday night. The largest burned about 1 acre in the 2000 block of Boy Scout Lane.

Over the past 24 hours, AFR also responded to multiple structure and wildland or vegetation fires, including a working residential structure fire and two significant wildland fires. At about 9:20 p.m., a ladder company responded to an area west of the Menaul Trailhead, where crews found a half-acre wildfire with flames reaching 4 to 6 feet high in grass and brush.

The fire threatened nearby homes, prompting AFR to bring additional resources to the scene. Firefighters contained the blaze within 20 minutes, and no injuries were reported.

AFR said it will continue heightened enforcement and patrols through the holiday period.

Sacaton Fire Tops 9,000 Acres as Crews Protect Willow Creek, Historic Sites

Ruben Reyes
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The Sacaton Fire, which began June 25 in the remote Gila Wilderness, has grown to 9,274 acres with no containment as firefighters continue suppression efforts to protect nearby communities, historic structures and critical infrastructure.

The fire, caused by lightning, is burning about 4.5 miles from the Mogollon Baldy Lookout in rugged terrain that limits direct firefighting efforts and poses significant risks to both ground crews and aircraft.

Hot, dry weather fuels rapid growth

The fire covered about 69 acres when it was first reported. Extreme heat, low humidity, and strong winds fueled rapid growth, and on June 29, a spot fire had ignited about a half-mile from the main blaze.

Combined, the fires expanded to about 372 acres as smoke became visible across much of southwestern New Mexico, including the Gila Cliff Dwellings, Lordsburg, Quemado, and along U.S. Route 180. Fire officials warned that with no significant rainfall in the forecast, smoke and occasional flames would remain visible from long distances.

Fire managers will use direct suppression tactics only where flames threaten key resources, including the Mogollon Baldy Lookout, and only if they can ensure firefighter safety.

Closure order issued as fire intensifies

On June 30, a spot fire spreading north along a ridgeline and east toward the Rain Creek drainage caused most of the increased smoke, officials said. Because of active firefighting operations and increasing fire danger, the Gila National Forest issued a closure order effective at 8 a.m. July 1, closing the northwestern portion of the Gila Wilderness. Authorities prohibit the public from entering the closed area, and violations are subject to penalties.

A reconnaissance flight later that day estimated the fire at 1,229 acres. Crews discovered another spot fire of about 50 acres, roughly 1.25 miles north in the headwaters of the Iron Creek drainage.

The fire remained about 3 miles west of the Mogollon Baldy Lookout and communications site. But officials evacuated the fire lookout by helicopter as a precaution.

Meanwhile, a four-person crew from the Flathead National Forest’s Spotted Bear Wildland Fire Module spent two days wrapping the lookout’s wooden bunkhouse with fire-resistant material before a helicopter safely extracted them.

Willow Creek placed under evacuation alerts

The fire continued to spread, prompting the Catron County Sheriff’s Office to place the Willow Creek community under a “Set” evacuation status on July 2. Officials urged residents to prepare for a possible evacuation by assembling emergency supplies, creating evacuation and communication plans, and staying informed.

The forest closure is still in effect as firefighters reported continued long-range spotting. Command of the fire was transferred to the Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team at 6 a.m. July 3. By then, the fire had expanded to 5,546 acres with zero containment.

Firefighters implemented indirect suppression tactics to protect the Willow Creek subdivision, the Mogollon Baldy Lookout, and communications infrastructure. Crews began preparing containment lines for possible defensive firing operations while additional firefighting resources were ordered.

Officials advised residents to monitor air quality, noting that smoke conditions would vary depending on fire activity, weather and wind. They also reminded the public that Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect across the Gila National Forest because of prolonged drought, massive tree mortality, and forecast hot, dry weather. Campfires are restricted to designated recreation sites equipped with metal fire rings.

Willow Creek upgraded to “Go” evacuation

The Catron County Sheriff’s Office upgraded Willow Creek to a “Go” evacuation status on July 4 at the recommendation of the incident management team. Authorities also shut Bursum Road (NM 159) between Mogollon and Willow Creek.

At that point, the fire had grown to 6,782 acres and continued advancing through drainages above Willow Creek. The fire spread northeast into the footprint of the 2025 Turkey Feather Fire.

Historic Apache Cabin destroyed

Extreme fire behavior destroyed the historic Forest Service Apache Cabin in the Gila Wilderness. The firefighters could not safely defend the historic cabin, officials explained, because of the cabin’s mid-slope location and intense fire activity. Firefighters’ safety remains the top priority.

Crews instead concentrated on protecting homes in the Willow Creek subdivision by installing pumps, laying hose lines and evaluating conditions for possible defensive firing operations west of the community.

Forest closure expanded as the fire surpassed 8,000 acres

The Forest Service expanded its closure order, effective at 10 a.m. July 4, to cover additional portions of the northwestern Gila Wilderness. By Independence Day, the fire had already reached 8,638 acres with no containment.

Single-engine air tankers dropped fire retardant to slow the fire’s advance toward Willow Creek. And ground crews evaluated opportunities for direct attack. Firefighters also installed pumps, sprinklers and large portable water tanks to support structure protection in the remote area.

Officials said the fire was moving into the burn scars of the 2025 Turkey Feather Fire and the 2026 Hummingbird Fire. Although previously burned areas may reduce fire intensity, they also contain hazardous standing dead trees and heavy downed timber that complicate firefighting operations.

Fire grows to 9,274 acres

The Sacaton Fire reached 9,274 acres as firefighters made steady progress along portions of the fire perimeter where aerial retardant had been applied. Crews continued installing pumps, inflatable water tanks, and hose lines while testing water delivery systems near the Willow Creek subdivision to strengthen structure protection.

Firefighters plan to build on recent gains by using established retardant lines to engage the fire directly and connect the fire’s edge to the 2026 Hummingbird Fire footprint and the South Fork of Willow Creek, a strategy to slow further spread. At the same time, crews continued preparing indirect containment lines that could be used if conditions required additional defensive firing operations.

A Colorado Tribe Built a Massive Renewable Energy Hub. Washington Couldn’t Stop It.

Juan Oliveros
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A Colorado Tribe Built a Massive Renewable Energy Hub. Washington Couldn’t Stop It.

The Ute Tribe on the high desert of the American Southwest, where sandstone cliffs meet arroyos, is working to build a massive renewable energy hub. Over the next 18 months, more than 270 megawatts of solar panels and 180 megawatts of battery storage will rise on tribal land in neighboring New Mexico.

On paper, the timeline defies the current political gravity in Washington. The Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill” had eliminated federal tax credits for renewable energy projects nationwide. President Trump has publicly attacked solar technology as “ugly.” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, at the same time, ordered that the routing of all federal wind and solar permits go through his immediate office—industry advocates called the directive an addition of 68 layers of bureaucratic red tape.

According to Sean Gallagher, a policy analyst for the Solar Energy Industries Association, the administration’s actions amount to a de facto moratorium, endangering about 36 percent of all planned U.S. electricity capacity through 2030.

However, the Ute Mountain Ute project, known as Foxtail Flats, has survived.

About 100 people attended the recent groundbreaking ceremony, where tribal leaders and project partners held shovels and smiled for the cameras. The project squeaked through by the slimmest of margins, securing the necessary federal signatures on its permits last summer, only days before the administration’s policy pivot froze the rest of the industry.

“We’re going through some challenging times right now, especially with the solar projects,” Alston Turtle, a member of the Ute Mountain Ute tribal council, told the crowd in attendance. “But we’ve got to continue to move forward in the vision that we see is right.”

The tribe’s 933-square-mile reservation is in southwestern Colorado. But its borders extend into New Mexico and Utah. Over the last three-quarters of a century, the tribal budget relied mainly on oil and gas development, which at one point bankrolled over half of its annual operations.

The finite nature of fossil fuels, combined with the sharp economic pain of oil’s boom-and-bust cycles, however, prompted the shift. At the same time, the local effects of climate change have become almost impossible to ignore. At the center of the 933-square-mile reservation sits the sacred mountain known as Sleeping Ute Warrior. The mountain’s natural springs, which traditionally sustained juniper forests and vital ceremonies, are vanishing.

“Just in the 30 years I’ve worked here, I’ve seen so many of those springs dry up,” said Scott Clow, the head of the tribe’s Environment Department. “They’re going to have a Sun Dance up there next month, and the spring next to the Sun Dance grounds is dry. It’s bone dry.”

The resilience of Foxtail Flats is the result of a 15-year plan. In 2015, backed by resources from the U.S. Department of Energy, the tribe partnered with Sandra Begay, a Navajo mechanical engineer who, at the time, worked for Sandia National Laboratories. Begay urged the tribal council to view energy shift not as a series of quick wins. She framed the transition as a generational commitment of the tribe capable of weathering shifting political tides.

“Time with tribes is different,” the Navajo engineer said. “You’re dealing with tribal elections, politics, the emphasis on money or no money. That’s a part of the process you have to get people to understand: Can you think 10 years in the future?”

The tribe began the renewable energy project small, installing residential rooftop solar panels before constructing a one-megawatt array to power its highway casino. The success of those early micro-projects eventually caught the attention of utility-scale developers.

Geography was also in the tribe’s favor. The Foxtail Flats array will be built on tribal land, across the border in New Mexico, situated near a newly decommissioned coal-fired power plant. The site lies at an optimal energy crossroads, possessing an intact network of transmission lines capable of carrying electrons to users in Texas, Arizona, Utah, California, and Colorado.

Even with geographic advantages, the financial engineering behind the renewable energy project remained uncertain until the final permits were signed. “The biggest fear was the financing collapsing to get this project going,” said Matt Heavner, a board member for Public Utilities in Los Alamos County, which has won the contract to buy more than half of the project’s generated power. “We worried about federal subsidies going away, and the financing required for this project not making the cut with investors.”

The tribe has found lucrative buyers hungry for its power as energy demand surges across the West. Beyond regional public utilities, Meta has signed on as a primary customer, intending to use the solar array to power a massive new data center under construction near Albuquerque.

Hundreds of other tribal and commercial renewable projects remain stalled in federal review. But the Ute Mountain Ute project represents a rare win in a regulatory freeze.

Begay advises those caught in the current regulatory freeze to be patient. She viewed the administration’s policy posture as a temporary season. “Their land is not going away. Their authority to use that land is not going away,” she said of the native communities seeking a foothold in the green economy. “You just wait until the time is right, when those customers really want new electrons.”

Smoke Expected to Ease Across New Mexico as Storms Move In

Victoria Padilla
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Smoke is expected to decrease across much of New Mexico on Sunday as weather conditions improve and the chance for afternoon and evening thunderstorms increases. Forecasters say stronger moisture moving into the state will help improve visibility and air quality in several regions while also bringing opportunities for rainfall.

Meteorologists reported that increased monsoon moisture will support scattered showers and thunderstorms across central, western and northern New Mexico, with portions of the east also affected. Some storms may produce brief heavy rain, gusty winds, frequent lightning and small hail. Many communities could see cooler temperatures compared with recent days, a pattern typical of the summer monsoon season.

Weather specialists said the recent storm will help reduce wildfire smoke in several locations. They expect air quality to improve, though active wildfires will continue to pose risks, especially when winds are light.

Officials warned that while additional moisture will benefit dry regions, strong thunderstorms could still create dangerous conditions. Heavy rain may cause flooding in vulnerable areas.

The variation in weather comes as New Mexico continues its summer monsoon, which often brings quick-developing storms and sudden changes in local conditions. The National Weather Service noted that thunderstorms can become severe at any time, day or night.

Weather forecasters urge residents to monitor forecasts and alerts, avoid outdoor activities during storms, and keep track of smoke patterns near wildfire areas. Officials stressed that improving air quality does not eliminate severe weather risks and encouraged residents to stay informed and take precautions as thunderstorms develop across the state.

Monsoon Moisture to Bring Rain, Storms to New Mexico

Victoria Padilla
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Monsoon Moisture to Bring Rain, Storms to New Mexico

Monsoon moisture is expected to move into New Mexico this week, increasing the chances of showers and thunderstorms across much of the state.

Forecasters say the changing weather pattern could bring rainfall to some areas. But it could also raise the risk of heavy rain, lightning, gusty winds, and localized flooding.

The moisture from the south, meteorologists report, will gradually spread, creating favorable conditions for afternoon and evening storms. Thunderstorms are expected to become more widespread as the week progresses, particularly over central, western, and northern New Mexico.

Weather experts warn that storms may produce heavy rain, frequent lightning, small hail, and strong winds. Thunderstorms often move slowly, which can lead to flash flooding.

Officials note that increased rainfall could help reduce fire danger in some areas. Lightning strikes from storms, however, can ignite fires in drought-stricken regions, and residents are urged to remain alert.

Cooler temperatures and increased rainfall may benefit many communities with the arrival of the summer monsoon. Still, severe thunderstorms can disrupt travel and reduce visibility.

Authorities advise residents to monitor local forecasts and updates before heading outdoors, urging drivers to use caution during heavy rain and avoid flooded roads.

Forecasters stress that monsoon storms can develop quickly and intensify with little warning. They encourage residents to stay prepared as storm chances rise throughout the week.

New Mexico’s Little Roads to Enchantment, Where Ancient Villages, Healing Dirt and Jaw-Dropping Peaks Await

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico’s Little Roads to Enchantment, Where Ancient Villages, Healing Dirt and Jaw-Dropping Peaks Await

New Mexico’s enchantment often reveals itself not on the interstates but along the little roads — the winding, two-lane ribbons of asphalt that slip past adobe villages, centuries-old shrines and landscapes so vivid they seem sculpted by light itself. These routes demand that you slow down, roll down the windows, and let the high desert air, scented with piñon and sage, work its spell.

One such road, highlighted recently in local lore as a “little road to enchantment,” leads to intimate corners like Los Caminitos in the foothills of Santa Fe, where homes blend seamlessly with the rugged terrain. But the real story stretches far beyond any single calle. It encompasses the celebrated High Road to Taos, the Enchanted Circle and myriad backroads that stitch together northern New Mexico’s cultural tapestry.

The High Road: A Journey Through Living History

The High Road to Taos is roughly a 56- to 105-mile picturesque byway, depending on your exact route. It is less a commute than a pilgrimage. Departing Santa Fe, drivers turn onto N.M. 503 and then N.M. 76, then climb into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The “low road” hugs the Rio Grande; the high one rewards with broad vistas, forested slopes and villages that have not significantly changed since Spanish colonial times.

Stop first in Chimayó. It is where El Santuario de Chimayó attracts pilgrims seeking the healing “holy dirt” from a small pit inside the 19th-century adobe chapel. The church’s wooden santos and vibrant retablos speak to a faith as long-lasting as the surrounding hills. Nearby, weavers continue centuries-old weaving traditions, and the chile — fiery and earthy — at Rancho de Chimayó tastes like the land itself.

Further is where the road threads through Truchas, Trampas, and Cordova. These high-mountain villages, with their humble wood-and-adobe homes and communal irrigation ditches still in use, feel like portals to another era. Artists have long journeyed here for the light and solitude; galleries nestled into old buildings offer everything from traditional tinwork to contemporary arts inspired by the beauty outside.

The drive ends near Ranchos de Taos, known for its iconic San Francisco de Asís Mission Church, a favorite subject for Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams. From that point, it’s a short hop to Taos proper, where the pueblo — one of the oldest in North America — rises like a multi-level earthen fortress against the mountains.

The Enchanted Circle: Alpine Drama and Mountain Towns

The 84-mile Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway loops out of Taos and is an adrenaline rush for those who crave more heights. It encircles Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s highest at more than 13,000 feet, then it passes through Red River’s old mining vibe, the high meadows around Eagle Nest Lake and the Bohemian hub of Angel Fire.

Wildflowers carpet the meadows during summer. In fall, aspens turn the slopes to gold, while winter brings world-class skiing and the gentle hush of snow. Side trips will lead to ghost towns, hot springs, and trails where the sounds are the wind and your own footsteps. This is where New Mexico earns the distinction as uniquely enchanting — vast skies, jagged peaks and a sense of scale that humbles and exhilarates.

“The High Road to Taos Scenic Byway is one of the most profound ways to experience northern New Mexico between Santa Fe and Taos,” said acting New Mexico tourism secretary Lancing Adams. “The heritage and identity of the communities along the route are evident at every stop, from centuries-old churches and historic plazas to the art, traditions, and landscapes.”

Beyond the Pavement is “More” in Enchantment

New Mexico’s enchantment goes beyond its table and its people. Green chile stew gently heats in kitchens from Santa Fe to tiny mountain cafés. Roadside stands offer fresh tamales or ristras of drying chiles, hanging like ruby necklaces from vigas. Artisans in these villages — Cordova’s wood-carvers and weavers in Chimayó — keep the heritage alive not only for tourists to appreciate but also as a way of life.

The state’s light, crystalline and ever-changing, has inspired many across generations. Drive these roads at golden hour, and you’ll know why. Adobe walls glow pink and orange; light casts its shadows long across the high desert. Even veteran travelers can’t help but pull over, camera forgotten, if only to breathe it in.

Travelers trying to find their own little road might follow local real estate tales of hidden gems like Calle Encanto properties, where modern renovations respect feng shui and native plantings. Or they might keep driving until a village square or mountain pass feels like home.

Enchantment in the state isn’t a destination on a map. It’s the willingness to take the slower path, to drift through the village plaza while church bells toll, or to watch storm clouds form over peaks older than memory. The little roads will take you there — if you allow them. Just don’t forget to fill the tank, pack snacks, and perhaps some holy dirt, and leave room in your itinerary for surprises.

5 Best Places to Actually Call Home in New Mexico in 2026 (Not Just Visit)

Juan Oliveros
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5 Best Places to Actually Call Home in New Mexico in 2026 (Not Just Visit)

New Mexico remains a land of contrasts and enchantments: crimson mesas that catch fire at dusk, piñon smoke curling through high-desert air, and a cultural tapestry of Indigenous, Hispanic, and Anglo heritage that feels both timeless and alive. The state’s allure has sharpened—space, affordability, and authenticity drawing newcomers beyond coastal pressures as remote work redefines where Americans choose the best places to settle.

This year, five communities stand out not merely as destinations but as places to call home, with more than 300 days of sun and housing still affordable compared to much of the West.

Santa Fe: The City Different, Still

Against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, at 7,000 feet, Santa Fe is still a draw for those who crave culture as much as canyon views. Adobe walls glow pink at golden hour; Canyon Road galleries and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum offer a serious arts scene. The opera season under the stars remains a summer ritual, and farm-to-table restaurants celebrate Hatch chiles and foraged ingredients with sophistication.

Life moves at an almost contemplative pace for residents of the city. Short commutes, walkable historic quarters, and trailheads just beyond downtown make daily life a reward for hikers, mountain bikers, and skiers alike. The trade-offs are authentic—higher home prices than the state average (often north of a $600,000 median) and an economy driven by tourism. But many who settle here cite the light, the community of creatives and retirees, and a profound sense of place as being worth it. In 2026, Santa Fe feels like a sanctuary resisting homogenization.

Taos: High-Altitude Soul

Farther north, Taos excites many with a more rugged, artistic edge. The Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest inhabited communities in North America, anchors a deep sense of history. Artists have found inspiration in the dramatic light of the high desert plateau and the jagged peaks of the Sangre de Cristos. Skiing at Taos Ski Valley, with sleek new lifts and trails stretched wider than ever, the mountain feels freshly reimagined, paired with a bohemian downtown of bookstores, galleries, and earthy cafés.

Its housing is more accessible than Santa Fe’s for many, and it has a slower, tight-knit community feel. Winters are colder. Summers are kinder. And the acequia-irrigated fields speak to a lingering agrarian spirit. Remote workers and retirees amid multi-generational families and off-grid types. Taos rewards those who seek comfort in isolation and find solitude enchanting. The place is not for everyone, but for the right person, it is hard to leave.

Las Cruces: Southern Charm and University Energy

In the Mesilla Valley, Las Cruces is a different New Mexico—warmer, more affordable, and home to New Mexico State University. Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument offers dramatic hiking and rock climbing east of town. Downtown is alive with a renewed energy: farmers’ markets, breweries, and a growing food scene, with a taste of border influences and farm-fresh produce.

Cost of living is notably below the national average, with solid public schools in the neighborhoods and a housing market that still allows entry for young families and professionals. The pace radiates with purpose but is relaxed. Retirees appreciate the ease of healthcare and golf courses, while the university brings lectures, sports, and youthful vitality.

Las Cruces, this year, strikes many as New Mexico’s most livable balance of amenities, nature, and value.

Rio Rancho: Suburban Comfort with Open Space

Rio Rancho, north of Albuquerque across the Rio Grande, has climbed the rankings as a practical, family-oriented choice. It offers more space, master-planned with wide streets, parks, and newer housing stock, and often lower prices than Albuquerque proper. Close to the Sandia Mountains and endless trails, it is attractive for outdoor enthusiasts. Anchored by Intel and a rising wave of tech-adjacent jobs, the region enjoys a steady economic ballast.

Going to Albuquerque’s cultural offerings of museums, the Balloon Fiesta, and vibrant Old Town takes 20–40 minutes. Families are increasingly drawn to excellent schools and community amenities in many areas. It lacks the historic allure of Santa Fe or Taos. But for those prioritizing affordability, safety, and suburban conveniences with desert sunsets as a backdrop, Rio Rancho delivers.

Los Alamos: Brainy Enclave in the Jemez Mountains

Los Alamos, tucked on the Pajarito Plateau, is a standout—small (around 13,000 residents), exceptionally educated, and surrounded by national laboratory lands and forested wilderness. The legacy of the Manhattan Project lives in museums and street names. Today, however, it is a high-achieving community with top-rated schools, low unemployment linked to scientific work, and outdoor recreation such as hiking, fishing, and winter sports.

Housing is pricier than the state average, reflecting demand from professionals. But the quality of life—quick commutes, community events, and a sense of intellectual curiosity—is unique. Nearby, White Rock offers a slightly more residential feel. Los Alamos is an excellent choice for families or couples seeking excellent public services and mountain air without big-city density.

Choose Your New Mexico

All these places capture a different facet of the state’s promise. Choose: Santa Fe’s elegance, the mysticism of Taos, the accessibility Las Cruces offers, Rio Rancho’s practicality, and Los Alamos’ precision. Common threads of these places include dramatic landscapes that humble daily life, a respect for ancient histories, and a cost of living that, outside Santa Fe, still allows breathing room.

Challenges in these best places, however, persist—drought, pockets of poverty, and uneven infrastructure. But for those drawn to wide skies and unhurried rhythms, New Mexico in 2026 offers homes that feel like discoveries. Across all four seasons, the trails demand courtesy toward wildlife—and reward travelers with light that transforms the way they see.

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