MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

February 2026

As we move forward into this new year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in our Comprehensive Master Plan Public Charrette. Throughout that week of meetings, residents and community stakeholders came together to design a thoughtful roadmap for the next 40 years of our village. The ideas shared and conversations held during those sessions were truly inspiring, and your engagement demonstrates the strong community spirit that makes Ruidoso such a special place to call home.

I also want to address the Ruidoso Downs Race Track 2026 meet relocation to the Downs at Albuquerque. While this transition presents challenges, I want to acknowledge the dedication of all parties involved and their unwavering commitment to continuing Ruidoso’s racing legacy. I’m pleased to share that the NM Bred Horse Sale and Super Select Sale will still be held right here at the Ruidoso Downs Sales Pavilion, maintaining our deep connection to the horse racing industry that has been such an integral part of our community’s heritage.

Looking ahead, I want to remind everyone about the critical importance of our upcoming municipal elections. Three Village Council seats will be on the ballot, along with the mayor’s position. These elections will shape the leadership of our community for years to come, and I encourage each of you to exercise your right to vote. Equally important is the GO Bond question that will appear on your ballot. This bond is vital to our ongoing efforts to improve our aging infrastructure. As our village continues to grow and evolve, maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure is essential to ensuring the quality of life we all value. I urge you to carefully consider this measure and its long-term benefits for our community.

I’m also pleased to direct your attention to our 2026 State of the Village report. This comprehensive report highlights the accomplishments and priorities of every VOR department, giving you valuable insight into the work being done on behalf of our community. I especially want to emphasize our strong fiscal health: the Village remains fiscally sound, our 2024 audit had no findings, and our 2025 audit was submitted on time. These achievements reflect our commitment to responsible stewardship of your tax dollars and transparent governance. I encourage you to take time to read through the State of the Village report and stay informed about the important work happening across all our departments. Your continued engagement and participation make Ruidoso the thriving community it is today.

And lastly, a reminder to tune in to KRUI 99.1 FM or 1490 AM—The Mountain every Monday from 8:00 to 10:00 AM for ‘Mondays with the Mayor’ (or stream it) to get the inside scoop on all things VOR. Text your questions to 575-937-3071, and we will be happy to share answers and information during the show.

Until next time, take good care and remember to be a good neighbor.

Mayor Lynn Crawford