TAOS News:
The Taos Regional Landfill Board announced today that it has been awarded $8 million from the State of New Mexico’s capital outlay funding to support the Taos Clean Spaces, Strong Communities plan.
This funding is the result of a collaborative, region-wide public-private effort aimed at implementing and operating a comprehensive waste diversion and trash reduction program to improve cleanliness, increase environmental sustainability, and beautify the Taos region. The project is coordinated by the Taos Regional Landfill Board with the Town of Taos as the fiscal agent.
“The Taos Clean Spaces, Stronger Communities initiative is a model for collaboration and focuses on an issue that all partner stakeholders have been grappling with for years,” Marietta Fambro said, Chairperson of the Taos Regional Landfill Board and Mayor Pro-Tem of the Town of Taos. “State funding will provide the capacity necessary to build upon our existing efforts in the region.”
The funding aligns with the State of New Mexico’s Clean Spaces, Stronger Communities initiative, also known as Breaking Bad Habits. The Taos plan, developed by a collaboration of community partners, will enhance recycling efforts, tackle illegal dumping, and launch a beautification program to reduce litter and illegal dumping throughout the area. Additionally, a pilot composting program for local restaurants will be initiated as part of this effort.
“By enhancing our recycling programs, we’ll divert more waste from the landfill, reduce costs, and improve waste management efficiency,” Fambro said. “With limited land available for landfills, implementing effective and sustainable clean-up programs will benefit the entire region, ensuring a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all.”
This project is the product of a collaboration between several key organizations in the Taos region, including the Town of Taos, Taos County, the Village of Questa, the Village of Taos Ski Valley, the Town of Red River, the Village of Eagle Nest, the Taos Community Foundation, and Taos Ski Valley, Inc. Together, these groups submitted a proposal to the State during the 2025 legislative session, with the goal of increasing waste diversion and promoting sustainable waste management practices across the region.
“This plan represents a significant step toward creating a cleaner, more sustainable community via strong collaboration across the region,” Taos County Manager Brent Jaramillo said. “The funding will help facilitate broader recycling efforts, address illegal dumping, and foster a greater sense of environmental responsibility among residents and visitors alike.”
The plan identified a 5-acre site at the Taos Regional Landfill for the construction of a 3-bay collection, sorting, and bailing facility. This site is consistent with the location where preliminary civil engineering and geotechnical studies were previously conducted, and a design for a steel building was developed. A portion of the $8M funding will be allocated to update the design and construction documents for this project, as well as to establish local collection centers for recyclables in the smaller and outlying municipalities in the region.
“The Taos Clean Spaces, Strong Communities plan shows how Taoseños and community leaders work together across sectors to generate solutions by the community, for the community –benefiting all of Taos County to keep our lands clean and thriving,” CJ Grace said, CEO of Taos Community Foundation.
The community partners involved in this collaboration will meet to finalize the details of the plan, allowing program efforts to begin as soon as funding is secured later this year.
About the Taos Regional Landfill Board:
The TRLB is a state recognized governmental entity created through the Joint Powers Authority that administers the solid waste district and landfill for the Taos County region.
The one-county and five-municipality governing board relies on the Town of Taos as its fiscal agent, the recruiter and employer of landfill staff, and the day-to-day operator of landfill property and operations.
Jointly, the governmental partners approve debt, set rates for members, commercial haulers and private entities using its services, are responsible for environmental and fiscal monitoring, planning for future cells and closure of exhausted cells, procurement of consultants and equipment, and the approval of new services to be conducted at the landfill.
The Regional Landfill Board proudly wears the title as the first, most successful, and longest lasting joint activity by all the Taos County political jurisdictions. Landfill Board Members: Taos County; Town of Taos; Town of Red River; Village of Questa; Village of Taos Ski Valley; and Village of Eagle Nest.