A sweeping federal spending proposal that includes the potential sale of up to 3 million acres of public lands is drawing sharp criticism from conservation groups across the southwest, including local leadership.
Red River Mayor Linda Calhoun and Questa Mayor John Ortega are among those speaking out against the plan, which they say threatens the region’s cultural heritage, economy, and traditional land uses. The proposed legislation, introduced by Senate Republican Mike Lee of Utah, includes language that would allow for the disposal of large swaths of federally managed lands across the country.
“As the Mayor of Red River, I want to make my position clear regarding the proposal being debated in Washington to sell portions of federally managed public lands, including areas here in New Mexico,” Mayor Calhoun said in a statement. “The public lands surrounding Red River are vital to our community. They support our tourism economy, provide recreation for residents and visitors, and preserve the natural beauty that defines life in our mountains. Families come here to ski, hike, fish, hunt, and enjoy the outdoors. These lands aren’t just part of the view—they are part of our identity,” she said.
“I am totally opposed to the sale of any public lands within the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument or in any of our local wilderness areas,” Mayor Ortega said. “Furthermore, I am against the sale of any of these public lands which have been utilized for traditional uses such as grazing, hunting, fishing and camping.”
In mid-June, the Senate unveiled the text of a major budget package that included language allowing for the disposal of federal lands across the country. The Outdoor Alliance, a national advocacy group for outdoor recreation, responded Tuesday, June 17 by releasing a map showing nearly 300 million acres of public lands that could potentially be affected by the legislation. The areas identified span more than 100,000 miles of trails, 3,405 miles of rivers, and over 45,000 climbing routes throughout the western United States.
Both mayors have been in regular contact with the New Mexico delegation, including Sen. Martin Heinrich’s office, to discuss how their respective communities can advocate against this measure’s inclusion in the spending bill.
“This is not just a land issue—it’s a culture, tradition, and access issue,” Ortega said. “Our families have used these lands for generations. To lose them to private sale would be a deep blow to our way of life.”
Advocates warn that if passed, the legislation could open up some of the west’s most iconic landscapes to private development and restrict access for hunting, fishing, camping, and recreation.
“I appreciate that our New Mexico delegation shares these concerns, and I support their efforts to oppose this provision. Decisions that affect our public lands should be made with transparency, careful consideration, and strong local input. Red River’s future depends on protecting the very resources that make this place so special,” Mayor Calhoun continued.
“Public lands belong to all of us,” Ortega said. “We must do everything we can to ensure they stay that way.”
If you’d like to contact Sen. Martin Heinrich, who has been a forceful voice in opposing this bill from going through, you can reach him at (505) 988-6647.
The third bill proposing the sale of public lands died in mid-to-late June. On Friday, June 27, a fourth version of the land sales bill was proposed by Sen. Mike Lee. The bill was swiftly killed on Saturday, June 28 with Rep. Melanie Stansbury shortly after, posting to Facebook, “Senator Lee, under pressure from colleagues and the public has officially removed his land sale provision from the big abomination of a bill.”
Sen. Martin Heinrich also shared, “This is a major victory for our public lands. Thank YOU for your incredible outpouring in defense of our American birthright. Because of you, the lands that we cherish will remain OURS. And to those already plotting to go after our public lands another way: Don’t. Unless you like losing.”
