Colfax County has developed a comprehensive plan which establishes what residents, business owners, property owners, and other interested parties would like to see in the future for the county.

As a top priority, the commissioners need to continue to encourage its county citizens to participate in the plan, and the commissioners need to focus their decisions on implementing the plan for the future of the county. Top priorities of the plan include land use/ community character, water/ natural resources, economic development, civic/ public services, housing, and transportation.

It is a tool which allows the county to focus on those important issues that affect all of us in Colfax County and encourage the commissioners to become more progressive and proactive in addressing those issues.

The county has hired an interim county planner whose duties will include advising the commissioners on how to aggressively implement the comprehensive plan.

In the past, the impression of the county government was just maintaining status quo. With the development of the comprehensive plan, the county is now able to become the leader in steering itself forward in growth and economic development.

The biggest challenges facing District 3 are water, economic growth, and public safety - including fire prevention, forest/ watershed protection, and transportation. Angel Fire and the Moreno Valley are the fastest growing areas in the county, and economic growth along with transportation are major issues facing the district.

The county in 2005 has taken the first step by the plan of a website to promote the county year-round tourism, paying attention to our incorporated areas from Springer and Cimarron to Eagle Nest and Angel Fire. A wide variety of year-round outdoor and recreational opportunities in the district are offered by the Carson National Forest, Cimarron Canyon State Park, Colin Neblett State Wildlife Area, Eagle Nest Lake State Park, Sugarite Canyon State Park, to historic sites such as the Santa Fe Trail Interpretive Center and Museum in Springer.

In addition, the District offers a four-season resort, Philmont Scout Ranch, and the Vietnam National Memorial State Park for tourism that brings millions of dollars each year to the county. Along with tourism, promoting transportation, air, and rail in and out of the county should be priorities.

The county has become aggressive in seeking out funding from New Mexico legislature and the New Mexico Finance Authority along with the US Transportation Department to provide federal funding grants to make improvements to the county Airport.

The Colfax County Airport at Angel Fire is a major role player for economic development in the area. Federal financial assistance is important because such projects are often too costly for local budgets. The grant funds will help create a safer airport for flights in and out of the county. Through federal grants, the county was able to make close to $500,000 of improvements to the airport in Angel Fire to include installation of an AWOS system (Weather Reporting System) and the servicing of the runway.

Affordable and accessible air service is a critical step for Colfax County's economic growth. For the 2006 legislature, the county has requested $65,000 in capital outlay funds for the plan, design, and/or implementation of an action plan for the Colfax County Airport in Angel Fire.

During New Mexico's fire season, Colfax County has experienced costly forest fires in past years. The Colfax County Forester and Fire Marshal are working with the State and Federal Forest Service and local communities at risk to help reduce the fire danger by helping with efforts to eliminate dense vegetation around homes, and help with restoration of overgrown forests.

The county has been working with the state to help develop a statewide, multi-agency forest and watershed health plan that will pave the way for better solutions and practices in creating a healthy environment. In 2005, Colfax County, in coordination with the Cimarron Watershed Alliance, supported the Taos Pines Community in the Moreno Valley in becoming a "Fire Wise" Community at the head of the Cimarron Watershed.

Two other communities, Ute Park and Hidden Lake, are being targeted to become "Fire Wise" communities in 2006.

Colfax County is working to be more accessible and open to the public. The county covers a very large area, and it can take over an hour to travel 76 miles (a round trip of over 150 miles) to Raton from the Moreno Valley to visit with the county government.

The Colfax County Board of Commissioners has traveled from Raton to the Moreno Valley to conduct workshops, meet residents and local officials, and to view the Colfax County Airport at Angel Fire. It is important that all county officials meet with their constituency in their home areas, and particularly in the Moreno Valley, as the Valley contributes over 55% of the county revenues from the property tax valuations.

The Colfax County Board of Commissioners is addressing the communication needs between Raton and the rest of the county. The county has developed a website which helps promote and inform the county and will provide information to which the public will have access -- the website address is www.co.colfax.nm.us. We are also now providing toll-free telephone numbers for better access -- the County Manager's Office, 1-877-445-9661; the County Clerk's Office, 1-866-678-5551; and the Road Department, 1-877-777-8292.

The commissioners are working with the municipal governments and the school boards to form partnerships when feasible, and to improve the quality of life for those who live in the county.

The assessor discovers, lists, and values residential, commercial, vacant and business and personal property for ad valorem purposes, notifies property owners of their assessed property values, and prepares the county tax roll of real property (land and buildings) and personal property (including livestock and mobile homes) for the county treasurer.

No. The County Commission has no superintending authority over the Assessor. Only the State Department of Taxation and Revenue may direct the Assessor's activities.

New Mexico State Statures Annotated 7-38-8 NMSA 1978 require owners of real property, tangible movable business property, and/or manufactured homes to declare any change in value their property has undergone within the past year.

The property owner is responsible for recording property transfer documents with the county clerk and for notifying the county assessor of purchases and transfers of ownership. Current property owners must provide the assessor with a valid address in order to receive valuation notices and tax bills. After moving, all county residents must contact county assessor's office with new address.

Taxes are based on the current and correct market value of residence and land, vacant land, commercial property, or other taxable property. The amount a resident will pay is determined by multiplying the mill levy rate against the net taxable value of your property. The net taxable value is one third of the total assessed value of your property minus valid exemptions such as head of family or veterans exemptions.

The valuation set for property by the county assessor is an estimate of the market value of property, residence, vacant land, commercial property, or other taxable property.

The assessor is required by state law to value property at 100 percent of its market value as determined by sales of comparable property.

Once a year county residents will receive a Notice of Value from the assessor stating the value of the owner's property for that year. The notice of value is not a tax bill. The treasurer issues the tax bill November 1.

The assessor is required to mail one Notice of Value for each assessed property by April 1 of each year.

The assessor's office will accept mailing address changes in person or through the mail. The assessor provides a change of address form with the Notice of Value. If a property owner does not receive a tax bill, the resident must contact the assessor and verify the address on the tax roll.

No. The New Mexico Legislature has established a head of family exemption.

Property owners have 30 days from the day the notice of valuations were mailed to claim any exemptions. If property changes ownership the new owner must apply next tax year.

The state statute on this reads: As used in this section, head of the family means an individual New Mexico resident who is either: 1) Married; 2) Widow or Widower; 3) Head of household furnishing more than one-half the cost of support of any related person; or 4) A single person. Those eligible for this exemption must apply for it only once to receive it in subsequent years. Only one family exemption per household is permitted, and it must be the property in which the owner resides in the State of New Mexico. The head of family exemption for 1988 was $200. In 1989 and 1990, the amount was $800, and in 1991 and 1992 it was $1,400. In 1993 it capped to $2,000.

The New Mexico Veteran's Service Commission determines all eligibility and issues a certificate to all qualifying Veterans. This certificate (original copies only) may be used to claim the New Mexico Property Tax Exemption. Once the exemption is claimed, it is retained for subsequent years without re-application. Veterans with certificates should apply with the Assessor 30 days after the notice of value is mailed. Surviving spouses may receive the exemption if they qualify with the New Mexico Veteran's Service Commission. For more information, call the Veteran's Service Commission in Santa Fe for details on expanded eligibility by the legislature for Veterans.

A property owner may protest the value and classification or denial of an exemption no later than 30 days after the mailing of the Notice of Value.

The property owner must complete a protest form that is available at the county assessor's office and mail or take it (with documentation if available) to the assessor's office in person within 30 days from the mailing date of the assessor's Notice of Value form. An informal meeting may be set to discuss the protest. If an agreement is not made at the informal hearing a formal hearing with the Valuation Protest Board will be set. If the dispute is not resolved satisfactorily at the board hearing, the property owner may make an official appeal to the court of appeals.

Yes. State law requires the assessment of manufactured homes for property taxes. The assessor requires a copy of the manufactured home vehicle registration or the title, along with the manufactured home property or location.

The owner must take the title or certificate of registration to the county assessor's office. The assessor will determine if the property is registered on the tax rolls. If the property is not on the current tax roll, the assessor's office will assign a property account number and a value to the manufactured home for the current year and possibly one prior year depending upon the date of purchase. The property owner will then obtain a tax release from the treasurer's office to verify payment of all taxes. The release is issued only after current calendar year taxes based on the assessor's values and any other outstanding taxes have been paid. If the property owner is moving the manufactured home the assessor's office will issue a moving certificate and will update records with the new address. If selling a manufactured home, the property owner must provide the name of the new owner, as it should appear on the new title to be issued by the state Motor Vehicle Department.

No. The land value appears on a separate assessment. Property owners will receive two tax bills, one for the manufactured home and one for the lot (unless the lot is a rental).

There are two forms to be completed: 1) Request to change valuations status for a manufactured home 2) Manufactured Home (Mobile Home) Affidavit of Affixture to Colfax County Assessor. Mail the "Request to Change Valuation Status" form to the Motor Vehicle Division Vehicle Services Bureau, P.O. Box 1028, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-1028 along with the original title to the manufactured home. This form must be completed to deactivate the motor vehicle title to a manufactured home and to have the manufactured home valued as real property for property taxation purposes. A manufactured home may be valued as real property only if: 1) the tongue and axles have been removed from the manufactured home; 2) the home is affixed to a permanent foundation on the land on which it is located; 3) the owner of the manufactured home owns the land on which the manufactured home is located and; 4) all liens and encumbrances against the motor vehicle title for the manufactured home have been satisfied or released. The Motor Vehicle Division will deactivate the title only if all liens and encumbrances against the motor vehicle title for the manufactured home have been satisfied or released. Once the physical inspection is done and the manufactured home has met criteria for real property, the Assessor's office requires that current and past years taxes be paid on the manufactured home. The status will be changed the next year to a permanent structure when the assessor's office receives the deactivated title from the Motor Vehicle Department.

In order to preserve the limited land available in New Mexico for agricultural and grazing purposes, the New Mexico Legislature has given special valuation status (7-36-20 NMSA1978). Qualified owners of such land must register their lands annually with the county assessor by the last day of February and must be prepared to prove that agriculture is the primary use of the land. For the purpose of this section, agricultural use generally means the use of land for the production of plants crops, trees, forest products, orchard crops, livestock, poultry or fish. The term also includes the use of land that meets the requirement for payment of other compensation pursuant to a soil conservation program under an agreement with an agency of the federal government.

One acre will be designated as home site and will be valued at market value. A home site, as the term is used in property tax division regulation 7-36-20.3 means the site is used primarily as residence and is more than the boundary of the foundation of an improvement used as a residence. All remaining land will receive the agricultural valuation rate providing that the primary us of the remaining land qualifies as agricultural under the statute.

The determination is based on the evidence provided. No exemption will be granted if there is evidence that the land is being held for speculative land subdivision and sale; for commercial use of a non-agricultural nature; recreational use; if the land is being leased and whether or not the lessee is using it for agricultural purposes; or any other non-agricultural use.

Colfax County ordinance #2004-1, recorded in BK15-P9238, has certain criteria for small acreage and large acreage.

Agricultural products include: plants, crops, trees, forest products, orchard crops, livestock, poultry or fish.

Yes. Property Tax Division Regulations 7-36-20.D(2) indicates the application form may contain a request for providing information on the owner's farm income and farm expenses reported to the US Internal Revenue Service on Schedule F.

Colfax County has an ordinance which states that taxes owing on the property in question must be paid in full before the treasurer's office will sign a County Certification of Taxes Paid .

The owner of record on January 1 of each tax year is responsible for taxes assessed for that tax year. Colfax County assessor's office will not process documents until taxes are paid.

It is the responsibility of each property owner to take an interest in the property and be aware of any changes such as repairs, fire damage, improvements, or new construction that may cause a decrease or increase in value. When such a change occurs, the owner must notify the assessor's office so that a new valuation can be determined. According to law, the value of your residential property cannot increase more than 6.1% over a two year period of time. The assessor's office establishes property values as of January 1 for the entire year, and the values are not pro-rated. Notices are sent to property owners by April 1 each year. Upon receipt of the notice, be sure to check the name of the owner, legal description, and the amount of value. Property owners should notify the assessor's office immediately if a Notice of Value is not received each year.

Anyone who is a United States citizen is or will be 18 on or before Election Day and has established a permanent residence in New Mexico. The county clerk's office also has a registration form recognized by most other states

At the county clerk's office, the New Mexico Department of Motor Vehicles, or with any state agency that provides public assistance. In addition, there are registration forms available at city halls.

Yes! Call the county clerk's office at 575-445-5551 to request a voter registration form. We will mail you the appropriate form. All you have to do is fill it out, include a copy of a valid ID (your valid driver's licence or a recent bank statement) and drop it in the mail. That's it!

Yes. Simply follow the directions on the form, being careful to provide a good physical address. Mail it back to the county clerk in the postage paid envelope.

When the county clerk's office receives your voter registration a precinct and polling place are assigned based on where you live. If the county clerk's office does not have a physical address, we cannot assign the correct precinct to you. What's involved when it comes to registering with a political party? You can register with any political party you wish, but you do not have to register with a political party to vote. You may prefer not to choose a political party, however, New Mexico is a closed primary state which means that you must be registered with a major political party in order to vote in the primary election.

When a political party registers with the secretary of state, the law classifies the party as either major or minor. A political party is classified as a major political party when it meets certain requirements established by law.

No. Your precinct and polling place is based on where you live. It is unlawful to use an address that is not your permanent residence for voter registration purposes. You may, however, use any address for a mailing address.

If you have moved or changed your mailing address in any way, you should fill out a new registration form. It is very important that you notify the county clerk's office of any change in your address, mailing or residence.

If your name changes by marriage or other legal process, you should fill out a new registration form.

A new registration form will need to be completed. Registered voters may change their party affiliation at any time up to 5:00 P.M. on the 28th day preceding an election. Is there any time I cannot register to vote or change my current registration? Yes. You can register or change a registration at any time EXCEPT from the 28th day preceding an election up to the Monday following an election. The county clerk will still accept the registration, but it cannot be processed until the registration books re-open.

No. Your voter registration is permanent, unless you don't vote for several years. However, it will be canceled if the county clerk's office is notified that you have moved from the county, been convicted of a felony, declared mentally incompetent, or if you fail to return a voter notice from the board of registration.

A voter information card will be mailed to you containing information on your polling place for the primary and general election and the districts you are entitled to vote on. You may also contact the clerk's office at 505-445-5551 to inquire about your voter registration.

Not necessarily. Jurors are now selected from both the voter registration records and the Department of Motor Vehicle records. If you have a driver's license, you have just as much chance of being selected for jury duty as a registered voter.

This election determines who the candidates of the major political parties will be in the general election. You can only vote for the candidates of your political party.

This election determines who will be elected to serve in the office that is on the ballot. The candidates would include the successful primary election candidates, minor party candidates, independent candidates and write-in candidates seeking that office. You can vote for ANY candidate, regardless of political party.

We need you on Election Day in Colfax County. Each citizen's constitutionally guaranteed right to vote is in the hands of the poll worker in their precinct. Efficiency and dedication are necessary attributes for a poll worker. Patience and friendliness are also helpful. We also need workers who are fluent in the Navajo language. Do you fill the bill and are you available on Election Day? If so, volunteer to work with us. Contact the county clerk at 575-445-5551.

• Primary elections are held the first Tuesday in June in even-numbered years.
• General elections are held the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
• Regular municipal elections are held the first Tuesday in March of even-numbered years.
• Regular school district elections are held the first Tuesday in February in odd-numbered years.
• College district elections are held the first Tuesday in March in odd-numbered years.
• Special / Bond elections are held as called for by municipalities, school boards or the board of County Commissioners

The polls for all of the above elections will be open from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

General and primary elections are held in all precincts and polling places. The precincts may be consolidated into fewer polling places for other elections, such as municipal, school district, college district or hospital elections. You may contact the county clerk's office to find where you vote for any election.

The law states that precinct lines must be drawn using physical boundaries like streets or power lines, and not imaginary boundaries, like section and range lines. If you live on one side of a street which is a precinct boundary line, you are not entitled to vote in the adjoining precinct, even if its polling place is closer to your residence. The county clerk's office tries to make polling places as close to a majority of the population as possible, however, it is not always feasible to do so.

Sample ballots for most elections are available at the county clerk's office. Sample ballots for municipal elections are available at the city clerk's office. The sample ballot will look the same as the ballot on the voting machine. Candidate information for specific elections is now published on the web under current elections.

The requirements for each office are different. Please contact the county clerk's office for specific information. If you are interested in being a candidate, it is very important that your voter registration is correct in January of the election year when the governor issued the proclamation of the election.

NO! Registered voters no longer need a reason to vote early or absentee.

THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO GIVES YOU THREE WAYS TO VOTE!

1. IN PERSON. Go to your polling place on Election Day. This method is used by most voters in Colfax County.
2. EARLY VOTING. Go to a designated early voting site (the Colfax County clerk's office), present proof of ID* and vote on a paper ballot or voting machine, just like you would on election day at your polling place. This method of voting is used by voters who are called out of town at the last minute and do not have time to go through the absentee process, those who want to vote before election day and those who do not want to stand in line on election day.
3. ABSENTEE. You must first request an application for absentee ballot from the county clerk's office. When you receive the application, fill it out and send it in as early as possible. You will then receive your ballot in the mail. Mark your ballot and return it to the county clerk's office before the polls closed on Election Day. You may return the ballot to your regular polling place or the county clerk's office by 7:00 P.M. on Election Day or your vote will not be counted. This method is used by college students, people confined to their homes, people who prefer to mark a paper ballot and those voters who want to study their ballot and mark it in the privacy of their home.

The right to vote is a precious gift from previous generations of Americans who worked, fought and died so we could obtain and keep our right to vote. Starting in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence from England, it was decided that the election of officials and important government decisions would be decided by vote by the citizens. This right and privilege of American citizens must be exercised and protected by future generations of American Citizens.

The most often heard excuse for not voting is "my one little vote won't make a difference." Yet history has proven the enormous power of just one single vote. In many cases, the course of a nation's entire history has been changed because of one individual ballot being cast - or NOT cast!

Consider the following:

• By a margin of just one vote, Texas, California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho became states.
• The Alaska Purchase in 1867 was ratified by just one vote paving the way for eventual annexation of America's largest state.
• One of the greatest political trials in America's history ended in May, 1868, when an impeachment vote in the U.S. Senate against Andrew Johnson failed by just one vote.
• In the U.S. presidential Election of 1800, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied the Electoral College vote, throwing the election into the House of Representatives. After 36 separate ballots, Jefferson finally won the election by just one vote.

Turn in a written request to the sheriff's department with a $2.00 fee.

The sheriff's department serves all documents issued by the courts including, but not limited to:

Summons, Writ of Executions, Writ of Garnishment, Order to Show Cause, Domestic Orders, etc.

There is a $32.00 fee per document. If two or more documents need to be served, call the office for more information.

200 North 3rd Street
Raton, NM 87740

(575) 445-5562

Office hours are Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm. Deputies are on call 24 hours a day.

Yes. All applications can be downloaded from the "Administration" page and sent to Mr. Manuel Vallejos.
(See contact info. below.)

Yes. For more information contact Mr. Manuel Vallejos.

Manuel Vallejos
116 Sth 3rd St
Raton, NM 87740
(575) 445-7050

Not currently. We need to refer you to Mr. Edward Sanchez with NM State CID. (See Contact Info. Below.)

Mr. Edward Sanchez with NM State CID enforces code compliance in Colfax County.

Edward Sanchez
Construction Industries Division
HCR 63 Box 701
Raton, NM 87740
Tel/Fax: (575)445-9052

To access State land use regulations, please contact:

                                    Construction Industries Division
                                    2550 Cerillos Road
                                    Santa Fe, NM  87505
                                     Tel: (505) 476-4600
                                     www.rld.state.nm.us/cid  

Tax bills are mailed from the treasurer's office on November 1st of every year as required by state law.

The 1st half of taxes is dues November 10th and become delinquent after December 10th. The 2nd half payments are due by April 10th of the following calendar year and become delinquent on May 10th. If the 10th of the month falls on a weekend, it is extended to the next business day.

Colfax County does not mail out 2nd notices. The notice is announced on the radio and in the local newspaper.

3 years.

Taxes need to be paid in full, the treasures office will issure mobile home release, that mobile home release and title needs to be taken to motor vehicle to change owners, then the new paper work needs to be taken to the County Assessors so the records can be updated with the new owners.

All address changes need to be sent in writing (by mail or email) with information on who is requesting the change.

Make checks payable to: Colfax County Treasurer

County Treasurer
PO Box 98, Raton, NM 87740

230 North 3rd Street
Raton, NM 87740

We are open thru lunch hour, from November 10th thru December 10th and also April 10th thru May 10th. (Otherwise we are closed from 12:00 - 1:00pm)