Village of Questa Project Manager Jacob LaFore and Village Clerk Valerie Vigil recently sat down with the Questa del Rio News to share comprehensive updates on key municipal projects shaping the community’s growth, safety, and quality of life. Major initiatives across utility infrastructure, public facilities, and road maintenance have reached key milestones that lay the foundation for the future of Questa.
Utility Infrastructure & Local Job Creation
The Village’s existing wastewater treatment system, built nearly 15 years ago, has been operating near maximum processing capacity as the community has grown. Funded in part through state and federal utility grants, the $3.8 million expansion will modernize aging equipment and double overall processing capacity.
Planning and engineering design for the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion will wrap up at the end of August. The plans will then move to the New Mexico Environment Department and the USDA for official agency review. Construction is scheduled to break ground early next year, with completion targeted by the end of 2027. “Expanding local sewer capacity is a vital first step before the Village can support future residential housing projects and potential commercial development,” LaFore states.
The upgraded facility will feature a modern Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system—an automated monitoring framework that alerts operators in real time to pump issues or flow irregularities, preventing sudden system failures. In addition to physical upgrades, operating the expanded plant will require two full-time, licensed operators, creating new local employment opportunities.
Alongside the plant expansion, the Village secured funding through the Office of Natural Resources Trustee specifically designated for sewer line extensions. A four-month technical study monitoring flow, inflow, and infiltration across several village sites concludes at the end of August this year. Data from this study, combined with a survey identifying legacy septic systems near local waterways, will help the Village pinpoint priority locations for expanding utility hookups.
Community Facilities & Economic Development
The Village secured a $1.5 million grant to expand the former Taos Bakes building footprint, increasing the size to 14,000 square feet, preparing the commercial facility to soon be listed for lease.
Early this year, renovations occurred at the public library, and updates at the firehouse were completed with further improvements planned in upcoming phases. Nearby, the gym near La Cienega is seeking funding for a new roof following water damage from last year’s rain storm.
Parks, Recreation, and Quality of Life
Village staff have successfully secured Capital Outlay funds to construct a multi-use mini-pitch to replace the existing basketball court at Questa Park. Designed to accommodate soccer, basketball, and baseball, the project is currently awaiting final grant agreement paperwork. “We are working on finalizing an application due at the end of September for the Trails Plus Grant to fund permanent outdoor public restrooms and a large gathering gazebo at the Questa Park and Molycorp Field,” says Vigil.
Long-term outdoor planning is also underway for the Ancianos Senior Center (former La Cienega school)—a project led by Taos County—featuring elder-friendly walking paths, low-impact exercise stations, an outdoor gathering area with a mini-amphitheater. Taos County is also leading the upgrading of the cafeteria for the Ancianos Senior Center. The rest of the proposed improvements will fall under the umbrella of the Village of Questa which is actively seeking funding from the Aging and Long Term Services Department of New Mexico.
Road Projects, Grant Milestones, and Traffic Adjustments
The Village marked a major administrative milestone this past June by successfully closing out grant agreements for five major road projects, including the bridge at Lower Embargo, the repaving of Lower Embargo Road, Shirley Drive, Upper Embargo Road, as well as the repaving of Cabresto Road. “Successfully completing these project grants opens the door for future state and federal funding opportunities for village roads,” says LaFore.
Regarding Cabresto Road, Village staff clarified that proposed road speed humps will not be installed along the route; however, guardrails will be placed to enhance driver safety along key stretches. With seasonal road maintenance across the village winding down, staff will continue to focus on remaining infrastructure priorities.
Stay Connected
Village staff encourage residents to reach out directly via phone, email, or in person at Village Hall with questions or feedback. Community members can also opt into the TextMyGov text-messaging system for public service alerts and real-time community updates by texting VOQ ALERTS to 91896.