U.S. Senate GOP bill could make millions of acres of public land in New Mexico ‘eligible' for sale
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – A U.S. Senate Republican budget bill would sell off millions of acres of public land across the U.S. to developers, including more than 21,000 square miles in New Mexico. Some of that land encompasses Ski Santa Fe and the Sandia Mountains as well as areas of the Organ Mountains in Las Cruces.
'This is why we're here today, our monument is under attack,' said Carrie Hamblen, CEO and President of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce and New Mexico State Senator.
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The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks is just one area at risk of being sold in New Mexico as part of a federal budget reconciliation bill. 'These places help bring us together as a community, they help gather, they help build connection, and they are special. The idea that we can sell these places off to the highest bidder is a grave mistake,' said Patrick Nolan, Executive Director of Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks.
Land west of Kirtland Air Force Base, plots of land around the Sandia Mountains as well as areas in the Gila and Santa Fe National Forests, could also be on the chopping block. 'These places hold the history of our Indigenous brothers and sisters, they hold the history of our culture of our people and the uniqueness that is New Mexico,' said Nolan.
It's a mix of land currently belonging to the Bureau of Land Management as well as the U.S. Forest Service. Local businesses and groups around the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks said tourism in the area keeps businesses alive. 'When I speak with a lot of my visitors that come in, whether the restaurant or the town, a lot of them talk about their outdoor adventures and those that they experience directly within our beautiful monument here,' said Mayor Russell Hernandez, Town of Mesilla.
U.S. Senate Republicans backing the bill have said the land sale is a way to reduce national debt and address the housing crisis.
Tuesday morning, Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-New Mexico) spoke out about the proposal in hopes of getting more lawmakers to protect every acre, New Mexico land or not. 'Respect the will of the people, respect these lands, respect tribal sovereignty, respect our small businesses and our local economy, and respect the future of our youth,' said Vasquez.
KRQE News 13 reached out to the Republican Party of New Mexico for comment. They said they needed more time to respond.
There will be a public lands rally next week at the Western Governors Association meeting in Santa Fe.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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