Cloudcroft Reader: Wed-Review

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What’s a Clarigestor?

The clarigestor — a steel vessel that has been in service for more than 40 years — handles solids settling and sludge storage for both the older trickling filter (TF) process train and the newer membrane bioreactor (MBR) system.

According to George’s letter, corrosion has compromised the inlet box, inner baffle, effluent launder, weir, piping, and the vessel itself. Uncontrollable leakage from the launder is causing the water level inside the unit to drop during lower-flow periods, allowing sludge chunks to exit the effluent.

“You just touch (the clarigestor) with a finger and chunks just crumble off,” Powell told the council Tuesday. “It’s literally falling apart in front of our eyes.”

George’s letter warns that if components dislodge and fall into the primary clarifier section, flow through the unit could stop entirely. The resulting sewage overflows and treatment failures could produce “prolonged discharge of poorly treated and disinfected wastewater into the Mexican Canyon outfall, resulting in significant threats to public health and impacts to the downstream environment and water resources.”

The MBR system, installed in 2017 and brought online in 2018, currently cannot handle the full volume of wastewater the facility receives, which is why the trickling filter remains in service.

The plant processes between 40,000 and nearly 230,000 gallons per day, depending on tourist season.

Short-Term Plan(t)

CDM Smith Engineering and the village, with George’s input, are developing a bypass plan: wastewater will be rerouted around the clarigestor and sent directly to the trickling filter (TF), skipping primary clarification. The clarigestor vessel will be preserved and repurposed as a sludge storage tank for both the MBR and TF systems until a new sludge storage facility is built.

George called for this work to be treated as an “emergency procurement” situation under NMSA 1978, § 13-1-127, allowing the village to expedite the project without normal bidding timelines. He wrote to NMED asking for “rapid reviews and approvals of proposals and requests.”

Carrizal said the village had already begun in-house work on the bypass on Tuesday and was meeting with George and CDM/Smith on Wednesday for engineering sign-off. He said he would bring cost figures to the council — crane removal of internal parts, a new compressor, an aeration blower, and increased sludge hauling — at the next meeting.

George’s letter projects that the bypass plan should allow the village to manage a reasonable level of treatment “for the foreseeable future (next 1–2 years).”

Longer-Term Replacement

According to Carrizal, CDM Smith is also developing a full preliminary engineering report, expected in approximately six months, recommending a full replacement plant configuration. Construction would be a multi-year project after that.

Carrizal told the council, “Then that’s where lobbying comes in and starts asking money from the state.”

Powell, who has run the plant for more than 30 years, retires in December. His successor, Sean O’Connor, is working toward upper-level certifications and will take his Level 1 operator test this month. Carrizal holds the license required to keep things running in the interim.

Village Makes Big Move on Property Acquisition

The council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-14, beginning the formal process of purchasing the U.S. Forest Service land the treatment plant sits on.

Village Clerk Jini Turri explained the resolution’s immediate purpose: “This is just to obligate the money that the state has granted us and to start the process with the Forest Service.”

Steps ahead include easements, an appraisal, and a final survey. Land ownership has been a long-standing barrier to financing plant upgrades. As Powell told the Reader this week: “That’s part of the reason why we weren’t getting grants — because we didn’t own the land.”

In the Dark (and Liking it)

The council unanimously activated the Outdoor Lighting Advisory Committee under Section 8-3-10 of the village code — for the first time since the dark sky ordinance was adopted decades ago.

Sacramento Mountains dark skies. Cropped photo by Sam Seth (Seth’s photo prints available at High Altitude)

The three-member committee will advise Planning and Zoning on lighting compliance and help interpret the ordinance for residents and businesses.

Greg Crinklaw, one of the original ordinance drafters, spoke at the meeting and volunteered to serve. Steph Snedden, fellow original drafter, was also appointed. A third seat remains open; the mayor will accept letters of interest.

The ordinance does not require committee members to live within village limits.

During public comment, a “semi-retired” University of Texas professor, James Lechleiter, said he and his wife moved to Cloudcroft within the past year specifically for its dark skies, and spoke in support of the ordinance. He pointed to the concentration of professional astronomy in the immediate area as evidence of what’s at stake.

The Dragonfly Telephoto Array — a collaboration between Yale University and the University of Toronto, commissioned in 2013 — is built from clusters of commercially available Canon telephoto lenses with specially coated optical glass that dramatically reduces scattered light.

That design makes it uniquely capable of detecting extremely faint, diffuse galaxies that larger conventional telescopes miss. It has been used to discover previously unknown galaxies and to study galaxies composed almost entirely of dark matter. The array has grown from its original eight lenses to an over one-hundred-lens Spectral Line Mapper now mapping faint gas clouds across wide fields of sky — work that simply cannot be done from a brightly lit location.

Crinklaw said the ordinance is largely sound but needs two updates: language permitting LED street lighting, since the lamp types originally specified are no longer manufactured, and a shift from wattage to lumen limits.

He said most current violations have simple fixes. “Turn it off at night. That solves the problem.”

Library Updates: Three Open Board Seats

Library Director Sandra Barr reported that the library is averaging 31 patrons per day. The $11,000 in GO bond funds has been fully spent on permanent fixtures — couches, chairs, computers, two printers, bookcases, and outdoor umbrellas.

A book sale is ongoing now through this Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bags of books are $5; rare titles will be individually priced. Funds raised go to the Friends of the Library, who fund library events.

Three library board seats are currently vacant.

One seat also remains open on the newly activated Outdoor Lighting Advisory Committee. Letters of interest for both should be submitted to Mayor Dusty Wiley at ccvillagemayor@cloudcroftvillage.com.

Leftover Lodger’s Tax Approvals

The council unanimously approved two lodgers tax awards from remaining funds in the current fiscal year, on recommendation of the Lodgers Tax Advisory Board.

The second annual Pickleball in the Clouds tournament, organized by Samantha Odom, takes place June 6-7 and will receive $4,579 for promotional materials.

Shane Asbury’s Wanderlust Running Trails and Rails Run is on June 13, and he was awarded $2,500. Asbury has taken over the three-race summer series from the previous organizer, Cloudcroft Runners.

Public Servant Future Finance

Trustee Gail McCoy raised the question of compensating governing body members.

McCoy said she learned at a recent New Mexico Municipal League meeting that Cloudcroft is one of only two villages in the state that do not compensate their governing bodies.

“I think we need more people stepping up,” McCoy said. “Maybe we can get some young blood in here too — that could utilize it, maybe has a good job, but they need to make that extra $250 (per meeting).”

Village counsel Attorney Zach Cook clarified that any ordinance establishing compensation could only apply to members after they next stand for election — no sitting trustee could collect under a new ordinance until re-elected. Adoption would require a draft ordinance and a public hearing.

No action was taken. The council indicated it would return with draft language and figures.

Records Control

The council adopted a records retention policy (Resolution 2026-13) aligned with the New Mexico Municipal Records Retention Schedule. The policy allows the destruction of records once they have met their required retention period.

The council unanimously approved destroying financial records stored by the maintenance shop in a Conex storage container, including payroll files, time sheets, accounts payable and receivable, and general finance records from fiscal years 2016 through 2020.

All carried a retention period of three years after the audit report. Destruction will be handled by Vital Records Control, a certified destruction company.

The upcoming fiscal year’s budget workshop is on Tuesday, April 28, at 3 p.m. at the Village Chambers, where department heads will present operational budgets.

It’s open to the public. See you there.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like Laughing Leaf:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Cloudcroft Art Society
Located in Old Red Brick Schoolhouse: Holiday and Saturday art shows
Noisy Water Winery
Family-owned winery crafting thoughtfully made wines from New Mexico grapes, inspired by mountain living.
Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village Plaza
Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Cloudcroft Art Workshops
Enhance your artistry while enjoying the beauty and coolness of the mountains!
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
The Southernmost ski area in New Mexico.
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest + Mountain Provisions, Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect
Bre Hope Media
Professional photo and video services

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Pineywoods Water Crisis; El Paso Airport Closed, then Reopened; Snow-Removal Program, and More

Reader Staff — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:04:47 GMT

FAA stops—and then suddenly reverses decision—on El Paso Airspace

The Federal Aviation Administration issued unexplained notices late Tuesday, closing airspace over El Paso and a large patch of southern New Mexico west of Santa Teresa for 10 days.

Update 7:25 a.m. Feb. 11: The Federal Aviation Administration lifted the air restrictions over El Paso, the agency said. The restrictions in New Mexico remain.

From AP News, 12:31 p.m. Feb. 11: WASHINGTON — “The sudden and surprising airspace closure over El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday stemmed from the Pentagon’s plans to test a laser for use in shooting down drones used by Mexican drug cartels, according to three people familiar with the situation who were granted anonymity to share sensitive details.”

“That caused friction with the Federal Aviation Administration, which wanted to ensure commercial air safety and the two agencies sought to coordinate, according to two of the people.”

“Despite a meeting scheduled later this month to discuss the issue, the Pentagon wanted to go ahead and test the laser, prompting the FAA to shutter the airspace. It was not clear whether the laser was ultimately deployed.”

“Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said earlier that the response by the Defense Department and the FAA to neutralize an incursion by Mexican cartel drones had led to the airspace closure. Drone incursions are not uncommon along the U.S.-Mexico border.”

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Off the Beaten Path:

Jonny Coker Interviews Mayor Dusty Wiley on First Podcast Episode

Watch Mayor Wiley’s first interview with Jonny Coker on Coker’s new podcast, Mountain Talk.

Coker is a freelance journalist from New Mexico. He spent three years at KRWG Public Media, and his stories have been featured across the state and nationally on NPR.

See for yourself

Air Force Volunteers Offer Snow Removal Program

Under the direction of Staff Sergeant William “Cody” Marquez, volunteers from Holloman Air Force Base are lending a helping hand to the village of Cloudcroft.

Elderly and other folks who struggle with snowfall are invited to sign up at the village office for help shoveling snow from their drives and walkways. Mayor Wiley and Public Works Supervisor Carrizal will screen applicants and submit a list of eligible homes for the volunteer troop.

The group will use their own equipment and manpower—they’ve signed up to be “on call” for big storms to help those in need. Volunteers can also sign up at the village office. For more information, drop by and chat with Utilities Clerk Ashley White.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Future Real Estate:

View local listings

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by Noisy Water Winery:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Noisy Water Winery
Family-owned winery crafting thoughtfully made wines from New Mexico grapes, inspired by mountain living.
Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village Plaza
Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures
John R. Battle, CPA, CVA, MAFF, CMAA
Personal & Business Taxes, Tax Planning & Consulting
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
The Southernmost ski area in New Mexico.
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect
Bre Hope Media
Professional photo and video services

Now, we can put the power of the Mountain Monthly newspaper to work for you.

Advertise in Mountain Monthly and Cloudcroft Reader for total market coverage.

Cloudcroft Reader serves more than 3,200 active email subscribers and more than 15,000 social media followers. With the Mountain Monthly, widely available across the village for free, circulation is higher than ever, and the Monthly informs more than 5,000 followers on Facebook.

Together, our platforms provide comprehensive market coverage: locals, seasonal residents, and visitors who want to stay informed about the Cloudcroft community.

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Let us help you reach your best customer prospects with your compelling message. What are you waiting for?

Smiles & Hugs at Last Night's Village Meeting; School Spotlight; PD Now at Zero Officers; Meet the Preslars, and More

Reader Staff — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:53:04 GMT

Trustee Maynard hugs his daughters, Shelley Hughes and Julie Bragg, after his final council meeting after 25 years of public service to the Village

Final 2025 Village Council Meeting: 5 Takeaways

Last night, the Village Council held the last public Council meeting of 2025—marking the final night in the hot seat for Mayor Tim King and Mayor Pro tem and Trustee Jim Maynard.

Just in time for the holidays, the council members wished each other well and thanked both King and Maynard for their public service.

Former Mayor Bill Denney made a rare appearance at the meeting — he said it was his second Council meeting since leaving office in December 2023. He came, he said, to say ‘Thank you’ to Maynard for his service and friendship. He also said he “hoped more people would get involved” and volunteer with the local government, pointing out that the elected council had run unopposed. Denney himself was appointed mayor when longtime Mayor Dave Venable retired.

Last night’s meeting marked nearly one year since Mayor King’s appointment to the position, and his last meeting presiding as the mayor.

ICYMI, here are a few takeaways:

The state Finance Department (DFA) has frozen about $3.2 million in village Capital Outlay projects until Cloudcroft completes multiple fiscal corrective actions, including the fiscal year 2025 audit, bank reconciliations, asset inventory certification, updated accounting systems, and stronger segregation of duties.

Village officials have submitted a detailed corrective action plan drafted by Lauren Groesbeck, village staff, Mayor King, contractor High Watermark, and Debi Lee from the Council of Governments (COG).

On December 15th, a response letter was sent to DFA, and this morning, the draft corrective action plan was sent to DFA along with supporting documents, including the recent asset inventory and bank reconciliations.

DFA now has the plan in draft form; the intent is for the new administration and council to adopt it at the upcoming January meeting formally.

“We brought that to Senator Jim Townsend today, and he was very receptive to what we had to say and said that he will be checking in on this weekly until it is completed,” Groesbeck said.

She said the COG may serve as a fiscal agent if needed.

Read the DFA letter and village response below:

Special Conditions Letter Cloudcroft

381KB ∙ PDF file

Dfa Response Dec 15 2025

205KB ∙ PDF file

Grantwriter Lauren Groesbeck announced that she will not seek to renew her contract with the village upon completion of her current agreement. After handing Mayor-elect Dusty Wiley, who sat in attendance, a neat manila envelope with Capital Outlay information she’d assembled for the council packet, Groesbeck addressed the council, saying she needed some “time away,” and planned to take the LSAT soon to attend law school.

She plans to spend her final weeks under contract creating a grants manual to share with the new administration and help “button things up.”

The Reader will continue to report on budget, village finances, and grants.
In the Volunteer Fire Department report, Chief Erich Wuersching noted that the helicopter landing pad dirt work at Elevation Park is completed.
Mayor King announced the village had hired Rachel Truex as Court Clerk.
Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal said the department is “taking advantage of the warmer weather” to continue installation of new hydrants and meters.

The meeting concluded with a round of thank-yous to the staff and officers for their service to the community, and commemorative plaques were presented to Maynard and King. The atmosphere was markedly more genial than the last fractious Council meeting.

King announced that he was “putting a lot of stuff together” and planned to meet with Wiley next week.

The next council meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 20th, at 6 p.m.

Trustee Keith Hamilton (L) presents Mayor Tim King (R) with patriotic artwork that Hamilton handcrafted to thank King for his service.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Off the Beaten Path:

First Bite: Preview a Taste of the New 1899 Menu at the Lodge

Crispy goat cheese, beet, and cranberry vinaigrette are featured on the new 1899 fall and winter menu at the Lodge. Photo: Bre Hope Media

Contributing Editor Drew Gaines recently visited Chef Richard Lepree in his kitchen at the Lodge. We look forward to publishing an exclusive video interview with Lepree, the brigade de cuisine, and more soon through the Reader.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, The Stove and Spa Store:

Reader Reels: Christmas in Cloudcroft

Check out the Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade in the Christmas Capitol of New Mexico. This year’s tree was donated by Ski Cloudcroft and cut by the Village of Cloudcroft, and decorated by Tularosa Communications.

Watch VIDEO

Scenes from the Ugly Christmas Sweater 5k

PHOTOS from the fun run

It takes a village to provide quality, timely, honest local reporting. Are you on the team?

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by the NM Rails to Trails Association:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village Plaza
Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures
Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico
John R. Battle, CPA, CVA, MAFF, CMAA
Personal & Business Taxes, Tax Planning & Consulting
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
The Southern southernmost in New Mexico
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect
Bre Hope Media
Professional photo and video services

Now, we can put the power of the Mountain Monthly newspaper to work for you.

Advertise in Mountain Monthly and Cloudcroft Reader for total market coverage.

Cloudcroft Reader serves more than 3,200 active email subscribers and more than 14,000 social media followers. With the Mountain Monthly, widely available across the village for free, circulation is higher than ever, and the Monthly informs more than 4,000 followers on Facebook.

Together, our platforms provide comprehensive market coverage: locals, seasonal residents, and visitors who want to stay informed about the Cloudcroft community.

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Let us help you reach your best customer prospects with your compelling message. What are you waiting for?

Cloudcroft Stars make local news.

Thank you for supporting independent, factual, and fair coverage.

https://www.mountainmonthly.com

Conviction in Fatal Crash; Water Plant Workshop; Comment of the Week; Upcoming Events, and More

Reader Staff — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 19:21:25 GMT

Comment of the Week: John B.

“How are these rules compared to federal rules?”—on “Expert Says Cloudcroft Must Fix Aging Wastewater Plant as State Tightens Nitrogen Rules”

Here’s our answer to that thoughtful question:

The state’s proposed 10 mg/L total nitrogen limit at the wastewater plant is comparable to the federal 10 mg/L nitrate‑as‑N drinking‑water standard, and it applies at the point of discharge rather than at a kitchen tap.
The EPA standard for nitrate in drinking water is 10 mg/L. There is no single national nitrogen limit, and requirements are set on a case‑by‑case basis under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Future Real Estate:

Explore Rentals

Cloudcroft Events Coming Up

This original painting by Samantha Odom will be raffled off at the Mountain Top Basketball tournament, with proceeds benefitting the basketball program.

Mountain Top Basketball Tournament: December 11th, 12th, and 13th at the CHS gym. Bring cash.
Ullr Fest returns to the James Sewell Ice Rink on Saturday, December 13th at 7:00 p.m. Live music from the Broken Owls and a bonfire at Zenith Park.
Chamber of Commerce: A Mountain Christmas Village Immersive Christmas walk at Zenith Park December 12th, 13th, 19th, and 20th starting at 5:00 p.m.—no matter the weather.
Join the library on December 15th for an Ugly Sweater Movie Night from 4:00-6:00 p.m. for a projected movie with popcorn and hot cocoa provided. December 22nd, a special Storytime with Santa from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

First Bite: Preview a Taste of the New 1899 Menu at the Lodge

Chef Richard Lepree features an Ahi Ceviche on his fall and winter menu. Photo: Bre Hope Media

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Blushing Yucca Esthetics:

Book Your Glow-Up

It takes a village to provide quality, timely, honest local reporting. Are you on the team?

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like Ski Cloudcroft:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village Plaza
Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures
Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico
John R. Battle, CPA, CVA, MAFF, CMAA
Personal & Business Taxes, Tax Planning & Consulting
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
The Southern southernmost in New Mexico
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect
Bre Hope Media
Professional photo and video services

Now, we can put the power of the Mountain Monthly newspaper to work for you.

Advertise in Mountain Monthly and Cloudcroft Reader for total market coverage.

Together, our platforms provide comprehensive market coverage: locals, seasonal residents, and visitors who want to stay informed about the Cloudcroft community.

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Let us help you reach your best customer prospects with your compelling message. What are you waiting for?

Cloudcroft Stars make local news.

Thank you for supporting independent, factual, and fair coverage.

https://www.mountainmonthly.com

Interviews: Wanderlust Running and a Fulbright Scholar; Taste of 1899's New Menu; VoC Workshop, and More

Reader Staff — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:50:20 GMT

A Taste of the New 1899 Menu at the Lodge

Chef Richard Lepree features Elk Backstrap on his fall and winter menu. Photo: Bre Hope Media

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Osha Trail Depot:

Village Wastewater Plant Workshop Today at 3 p.m.

VoC meets at the chambers today to hear a presentation by Robert George of Oso del Agua, who was contracted by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Ground Water Quality Bureau (GWQB) “to provide no-cost on-site training and technical support to evaluate Cloudcroft’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.”

Folks can sign up on Teams to attend virtually.

See you there.

Voc Agenda

232KB ∙ PDF file

Christmas Tree Permits in LNF

Sharpen your handsaws—Christmas tree permits from the Lincoln National Forest are now available through December 31st, both online and in person.

Folks can enjoy the tradition of cutting their own holiday tree near the Christmas Capital of New Mexico, while improving forest health. Cutting helps thin crowded stands of small trees, giving remaining trees more room to grow while improving wildlife habitat.

Permits may be purchased online or in person at district offices in Ruidoso and Cloudcroft from November 17th to December 24th, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Each permit costs $10, and tree cutting may begin as soon as November 17th. All forest offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27th, for Thanksgiving.

Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass can receive one free permit, though a small online service fee applies.

For more info, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Instant Karma:

Find out more

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like the Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village Plaza
Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures
Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico
John R. Battle, CPA, CVA, MAFF, CMAA
Personal & Business Taxes, Tax Planning & Consulting
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
The Southern southernmost in New Mexico
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect
Bre Hope Media
Professional photo and video services

The Cloudcroft Reader is the most widely read publication serving the greater Cloudcroft community, with over 3,100 email subscribers and more than 13,400 Facebook followers. We do the reporting that no one else does.

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Position your business just one click away.

Cloudcroft Stars make local news.

Thank you for supporting independent, factual, and fair coverage.

https://www.mountainmonthly.com

Monday's Hot Meeting (Plus Audio); Changing of the Guard; Christmas Tree Permits; Ice Rink Interviews, and More

Reader Staff — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 22:29:32 GMT

Christmas Tree Permits in LNF

Sharpen your handsaws—Christmas tree permits from the Lincoln National Forest are now available through December 31st, both online and in person.

Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass can receive one free permit, though a small online service fee applies.

For more info, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Bre Hope Media:

Comment of the Week:

“Just have to be that person and ask. Are exceptions made for those who depend on an app on their phone for insulin pumps? Cause those new pumps that pair with an app seem to be the best way to monitor in real time.”— Jessica G. on Phone-free Classrooms in Cloudcroft

An answer to this thoughtful question: Yes, the school handbook policy allows for medical exemptions.

The Little Bears faced off at halftime during the Basketball season kickoff

Little Bears’ Half-Time Show Returns

The co-ed Elementary School Little Bears, Cloudcroft Bears Boys JV and Varsity teams, and alumni played hard at Saturday night’s Basketball season kick-off and fundraiser at the CHS gym.

View Photos

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage:

Village and School Election Results

Mark Tatum ran unopposed and received 219 votes.

The School Board race was won by Lance Wright and Michele Anthony, who received 403 and 359 votes, respectively.

The GO Bond passed with 72% of votes in favor of the funding.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like Off the Beaten Path:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village Plaza
Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures
Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
The Southern southernmost in New Mexico
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect
Bre Hope Media
Professional photo and video services

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Position your business just one click away.

Cloudcroft Stars make local news.

Thank you for supporting independent, factual, and fair coverage.

Find the Monthly on Facebook

STEM at the Park; The Campaign Trail; Mountain Monthly Debut; Food Assistance; Fall Photos, and More

Reader Staff — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:43:27 GMT

The Olvera family enjoys the kick-off event with an Exxon Mobil hot air balloon at Zenith Park on Tuesday, October 28th. Christina (L) works at Cloudcroft Schools as a substitute teacher.

Cloudcroft Schools Celebrates STEM Lab Partnership at Zenith Park

Yesterday, Zenith park was full of life, color, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathmatics—also known as STEM—as Exxon Mobil opens a new STEM lab at Cloudcroft schools.

Students gathered around the Exxon Mobil hot air balloon and hollered as flames burst upward. DJ Nate Saffle, decked out in a white lab coat, filled the park with beats for an early morning celebration.

Joseph Cueto, one of Cloudcroft’s own, now works for Exxon Mobil in Carlsbad as the community relations manager and was integral to bringing the lab to Cloudcroft.

The lab has robotics, 3D printers, and a curriculum in partnership with the Cal Ripken Sr. organization and Exxon Mobil.

Go, Bears!

Reader Reels

Note: Slash Pit Closed for Season

The Otero County Slash Pit off Highway 244 is closed for the season, and anticipates changes for next year. Bill, Jeremy, and Cody signed off the Cloudcroft Community Facebook Page, and promised to deliver metrics on how much slash was burned at the pit this year.

On the Campaign Trail: Meet-and-Greet

It’s the final countdown to election day, Tuesday, November 4th.

The mayor's race heats up as Wiley and King enter the last week before the election.

Thursday night, Dusty Wiley hosts a meet-and-greet at 5:00 p.m. at Gary Mack Real Estate. An hour later, Mayor King hosts a public event at The Highland.

We’re gathering notes from the campaign trail—see you there.

Debut: Mountain Monthly’s First Issue Under New Ownership

Snag your copy in the village—it’s free!

The print publication now serves as a visitor’s guide and plans to expand inclusion of community voices. See the first effort—now free—on newsstands in and around the village.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Blushing Yucca Esthetics:

Book my glow up!

SNAP Benefits Set to End Saturday: Local Food Assistance

SNAP benefits (food stamps) are scheduled to end for millions of Americans starting November 1, 2025, unless Congress provides additional funding. Without a legislative fix, recipients will not receive November benefits and food assistance will lapse nationally, impacting approximately 40 million people.

Here are a few local food assistance options.

Road Runner Food Bank
Head to rrfb.org for dates and locations. Mobile food bank: Sacramento Mountain Senior Center, High Rolls.

Mountain of the Lord Faith Fellowship Food Pantry
From Pastor Andy Olsen on the pantry, located by Wimsatt Area off Highway 82: “The Lord’s Pantry is a non-perishable food pantry that is open 24/7 to help those in need. You don’t have to deal with anyone, just come and be blessed. If you’re able, bring some food, but never hesitate to take what you need.”

Summit Christian Faith Fellowship
Food pantry available. Located on the western end of Burro Avenue, or find them on Facebook.

Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce/Mayhill Baptist Church
The spirit of Thanksgiving arrives early this year through a partnership between the Cloudcroft Chamber and Mayhill Baptist Church, kicking off a holiday outreach drive on October 26th. Locals are invited to fill donation bags with Thanksgiving favorites—canned, dry goods, and pantry staples listed on a bag you can pick up at the Chamber—and return them by November 16th, helping ensure every family can enjoy a festive meal.

Local Voter Guide

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th, in Cloudcroft at the High School gym. Find more voting locations here.

The GO Bond will be on the ballot, benefiting Cloudcroft Schools and not raising tax rates.

Also on the docket, exactly as written:

Timothy Edward King and Gerald Dustin Wileycompete for Mayor;
Gail K McCoy, Keith Byron Hamilton, and Erwin D Hardwick will fill three of the four open seats for Trustee;
Mark Toliver Tatum seeks reelection as Municipal Judge; and,
Lance Howard Wright, Rebecca Michele Anthony, and Bruce W Odom compete for two open School Board seats.

Catch our election coverage and candidate reels:

Watch Reader Videos on YouTube

Watch Reader Reels on Facebook

Check out the Reader’s 2025 Elections videos on YouTube:

Stay tuned—we’ll post more videos as the election race progresses.

Stove and Spa Store Services

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, The Stove and Spa Store:

Thank you to our sponsor, Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage Therapy:

Book a session

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village Plaza
Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures
Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
The Southern most ski area in New Mexico
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect

The Cloudcroft Reader is the most widely read publication serving the greater Cloudcroft community, with 3,000+ email subscribers and 13,000+ Facebook followers. We do the reporting that no one else does.

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Position your business just one click away.

Cloudcroft Stars make local news.

Thank you for supporting independent, factual and fair coverage.

Watch Reader Videos on YouTube

Meet the Trustees; 7 Village Meeting Takeaways; Local Voter Guide; and More

Reader Staff — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:44:01 GMT

7 Village Meeting Takeaways

ICYMI, here are 7 things that happened at the village council meeting last night, Tuesday, October 21st:

Mayor Tim King and grants writer Lauren Groesbeck announced grant updates. Cloudcroft was recently awarded $2.1 million through a Community Development Block Grant for the Mountaintop Project—replacing outdated water and sewer lines in the Mountaintop area, which Trustee Jim Maynard said has “leaded pipelines”—a needed update.
Mayor King said the recently re-promised Water/Wastewater Department raises will appear on this Friday’s check. Supervisor JJ Carrizal reported that 33 more cellular-read water meters were installed, with more to come. Nine iHydrants have been placed around town to help pinpoint leaks by detecting pressure and temperature changes, which the department can view from their phones.
Trustees unanimously voted to approve an extension of the Local Government Road Fund through July 30, 2026. Carrizal will have until then to spend the LGRF’s $59k on road repairs. The village will match around $14k and can now allocate the funds raised through the water bill collections, which total around $90k a year.
Upon the Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board’s recommendation, the council approved a $55,000 cut of Lodger’s Tax Funds to Sunny 505 Advertising for the village. LTAB members Julie Bragg, Lauren Groesbeck, Amy Coor, and Bri Jonnes envisioned the advertising campaign for the village to focus on all four seasons of the year.

Meet the new Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board Chair, Julie Bragg

The council appointed Julie Bragg as the new LTAB Chair—a move after former chair Karl Campbell nominated her, and members Coor, Jonnes, and Groesbeck supported. A Cloudcroft alumna and former nurse, Bragg now manages the Grand Cloudcroft Hotel. Her sons attend Cloudcroft Schools. And, you may know her folks—Susan and Jim Maynard.
Several village advisory boards need volunteers: Mayor King confirmed that the Planning and Zoning Commission has two open seats; the Library Advisory Board has three vacancies; the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has one open spot; and the Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board has one opening. Apply online through the Village GIS dashboard.
Trustee Gail McCoy hopes you’ll come to the Pumpkin Roll on this Saturday, October 25th. The village will have a few pumpkins available, so don’t ghost the event if you find yourself gourdless. After the family-friend competition, a costume parade will make its way through Burro to the Summit Christian Fellowship Fall Festival at the end of the block. For more details and to sign up for Trunk or Treat, visit the village website.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Off the Beaten Path:

Local Voter Guide

Folks can vote early at the CHS gym in Cloudcroft on Saturday, October 25th, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th, in Cloudcroft at the High School gym. Find more voting locations here.

The GO Bond will be on the ballot, benefiting Cloudcroft Schools and not raising tax rates.

Also on the docket, exactly as written:

Timothy Edward King and Gerald Dustin Wileycompete for Mayor;
Gail K McCoy, Keith Byron Hamilton, and Erwin D Hardwick will fill three of the four open seats for Trustee;
Mark Toliver Tatum seeks reelection as Municipal Judge; and,
Lance Howard Wright, Rebecca Michele Anthony, and Bruce W Odom compete for two open School Board seats.

Catch our election coverage and candidate reels:

Watch Reader Reels on Facebook

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Instant Karma:

Want your event listed in the Reader’s upcoming events guide and business updates? Let us know at events@cloudcroftreader.com.

Check out the Reader’s 2025 Elections videos on YouTube:

Stay tuned—we’ll post more videos as the election race progresses.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like The Lodge:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village Plaza
Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures
Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
The Southern most ski area in New Mexico
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Position your business just one click away.

Cloudcroft Stars make local news.

Thank you for supporting independent, factual and fair coverage.

Candidate Debate Recap, Remembering Tom Taylor, Tiny Art Show, and an Election Endorsement

Reader Staff — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:49:54 GMT

Cloudcroft community members showed up to ask the questions that matter. Vote in the local election on Tuesday, November 4th.

Meet the Mayor Night Recap

Last night, a crowd of all ages gathered at the lovely Lodge Pavilion to hear from mayoral candidates Gerald “Dusty” Wiley and Timothy E. King and participate in a lively Q&A.

Cookies prepared by the CHS Culinary Program disappeared quickly as candidates said why they wanted the payless, thankless gig and fielded questions from the audience and the Reader.

Contributing Editor and videographer Drew Gaines captured the night, and we look forward to sharing what both Wiley, King, and trustee candidates Keith Hamilton, Gail McCoy, and Danny Hardwick had to say.

Look for our video over the weekend. Special thanks to the Chamber of Commerce and the Lodge for sponsoring the event.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Osha Trail Depot located at 102 Mexican Avenue.

Join them on Saturday, October 25th for a silent auction, live music, chili from Brother-N-Law BBQ, and more to fundraise for a new helipad in Cloudcroft, in partnership with the Cloudcroft Sparkies. Want to donate to the silent auction? Call 575-551-2099 for more info.

Tiny Art Show Reception at Public Library

With nearly 60 entries, the annual Tiny Art Show is back at the Michael Nivison Public Library.

Join Library Director Sandra Barr, the artists, and the Friends of the Library for a reception and awards (cash prizes!) on Friday, October 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the library.

Cloudcroft Hostel owner and local artist Stephanie Duenker displays one of her entries for the Tiny Art Show.

The Reader Makes an Endorsement: Vote ‘Yes’ for the GO Bond

Keep reading for our ballot recommendation.

Along with candidates on the local ballot, Cloudcroft School’s General Obligation (GO) Bond is up for reelection.

We at the Reader support the GO Bond, which will not raise tax rates.

The bond will pay for crucial upgrades to security, technology, and school facilities for our ever-expanding school, which ranks number 8 in the state. Cloudcroft is the only public school on the list and the only school in southern New Mexico represented.

Hear School Board President Lance Wright and Superintendent Jocelyne Driscoll-Gillespie discuss the bond with our Reader Reel:

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage:

Buy Gift Certificate

Want your event listed in the Reader’s upcoming events guide and business updates? Let us know at events@cloudcroftreader.com.

Check out the Reader’s 2025 Elections videos on YouTube:

Stay tuned—we’ll post more videos as the election race progresses.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like The Elk Shed:

Shop the Shed

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village Plaza
Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures
Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
The Southern most ski area in New Mexico
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Position your business just one click away.

Cloudcroft Stars make local news.

Thank you for supporting independent, factual and fair coverage.

RSVP to Outdoor Halloween Yoga

Water Dept. Raises Finally Flow; Federal Shutdown, Local Impacts; Election Events; Mountain Monthly and More

Reader Staff — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:13:14 GMT

Read All About It: Local News Under New Ownership

Reader co-owners Chris Hearne and Hannah Dean recently joined the new ownership team for the longtime local print publication, the Mountain Monthly, in partnership with Justin Muñoz.

“I am honored to help support the next chapter of Mountain Monthly. We are excited for the new team to build on this legacy and continue showcasing the people and places that make our mountain communities unique,” says Justin.

Raised in Cloudcroft, he owns and operates Future Real Estate alongside his wife, Marianne. Get to know Justin better with the Reader in this 2024 interview.

Letter from the Mountain Monthly Team:

For nearly forty years, this paper has been part of Cloudcroft’s story. As the new owners, we’re honored to help carry that tradition forward.

The new ownership team—Chris, Justin, and Hannah (and our families)—are village entrepreneurs, neighbors, and stakeholders dedicated to making sure these pages reflect the beauty, charm, and spirit of our mountain home.

One feature we’re excited to debut: The Monthly’s Local Guide, which will point readers to local shopping, lodging, restaurants, outdoor recreation, events, and more.

We aim to guide visitors and provide villagers with a platform to be seen and heard.

This newspaper belongs to you. We promise to keep it rooted in our shared lives and to celebrate the community we all cherish.

Darrell Pehr, Editor and owner for the last 18 years, bought the Mountain Monthly from the Woods family, who founded the paper 37+ years ago.

Thank you for welcoming us into this legacy. We look forward to entering this new chapter together.

Sincerely,

Chris Hearne, Justin Muñoz, and Hannah Dean

Partners, Mountain Monthly, LLC

(L) Chris Hearne, Hannah Dean, Justin Muñoz; (R) Justin Muñoz, Darrell Pehr, Hannah Dean

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage Therapy:

Be in the Mountains Yoga, located in a new cozy unit in the Village Plaza on James Canyon Highway, offers a range of yoga classes, massage therapy, Thai yoga body work, and private parties for 4-7 people. Don’t miss the Outdoor Halloween Yin Yoga on October 24th at 5:30.

Meet Your School Board Candidates

Tonight, October 8th: Meet your school board ballot. Cloudcroft Schools hosts Lance Wright, Michele Anthony, and Bruce Odom at 6:00 p.m. in the District Boardroom, located in the High School. Open to the public.

Meet Your Next Mayor. Ask Questions.

This November, the Mayor seat, three Trustee positions, and the Judge are on the village ballot, along with three Board of Education seats.

Next Tuesday, October 14th, the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce and the Cloudcroft Reader co-sponsor a public candidate debate featuring Tim King and Dusty Wiley.

Get to know trustee candidates Keith Hamilton, Gail McCoy, and Danny Hardwick. RSVP for the debate at the Lodge Pavilion—complete with a cash bar and desserts.

Save my seat!

Reader Reels: IRVA at the Lodge

Contributing Editor Drew Gaines reports on a remote viewing gathering that drew a crowd to the village last weekend.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Laughing Leaf:

Laughing Leaf Recreational Dispensary: Located on Burro Avenue in Cloudcroft

Calling All Creatives! Tiny Art Show

Artists and makers working in any medium are invited to participate in the Michael Nivison Public Library Tiny Art Show. Works must be 7 x 7 inches or smaller and submitted by October 14th.

A reception and awards for age groups in both amateur and professional categories will be held on October 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the library.

Check out the Reader’s 2025 Elections videos on YouTube:

Stay tuned—we’ll post more videos as the election race progresses.

Want your event listed in the Reader’s upcoming events guide and business updates? Let us know at events@cloudcroftreader.com.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like Blushing Yucca Esthetics:

Book my glow-up

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village Plaza
Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures
Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
The Southern most ski area in New Mexico
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Position your business just one click away.

Cloudcroft Stars make local news.

Thank you for supporting independent, factual and fair coverage.

Cloudcroft Schools Rank High; Roads, Grants, and Village Updates; Fall in the Village; Public Safety, and More

Reader Staff — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:43:50 GMT

The Cloudcroft Schools band brings the energy to the field. Cloudcroft can toot its own horn for ranking number 8 in the top New Mexico schools list.

Cloudcroft Schools Rank No. 8 in New Mexico

The U.S. News and World Report ranks Cloudcroft Schools number eight overall for New Mexico schools for 2025-2026.

The majority of the top ten NM schools are private schools, and Cloudcroft is the only school in the southern half of the state to make the list. Schools are ranked by testing scores, graduation and attendance rates, and more.

Board of Education member Jeffrey Eigenmann says of the achievement:

“To say that we are proud of our students, teachers, administrators, staff, and the entire team would be a gross understatement of this accomplishment and their associated efforts.”
“Please take a moment to join us in honoring the dedication, personal sacrifices, and hard work that the wonderful staff, educators, and administrators so selflessly make every day to earn such prestigious recognition. When you see them at the school, the grocery store, or around town, please be intentional about thanking them in person for placing the children of this community, our future, as their top priority.”
“Achieving recognition of this caliber demands a collective commitment from every level of the school community. Staff members support programs and empower educators. Educators dedicate themselves to their craft and, through professionalism, deliver top-tier instruction. Administrators set high expectations, provide inspiration, and stand beside their teams with consistent support. Parents engage actively in their children’s education, reinforcing the learning process at home. The community contributes encouragement, enthusiasm, and unwavering support, creating the foundation for lasting success.”

Go, Bears!

Culinary Program Students Shine: Reader Reel

Check out our video report on the Cloudcroft Schools’ Culinary Program, led by “Mama G” Ardia Gray, where the Reader savored the service at the Leadership Cloudcroft Emergency Management session.

Four Village Updates: Roads, Water, Library, and Board Vacancies

Get caught up on village affairs in four takeaways.

Potholes and Roads

You may have noticed white markings on your roads. Public Works plans to repair deep potholes before winter, but large sections of deteriorating village roads aren’t scheduled for repairs until spring, due to budget constraints.

“We’ll be filling in the deeper potholes with hot mix in the next week or two. Larger sections of road will have to wait until spring. I didn’t know how much money I had to work with,” says Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal.

Public Works has been installing iHydrants this week. Check out this video report on the project:

Water Public Notice

Recently, the Reader published an explainer on the village’s missed water sample from June. The state sent a public notice, below:

Library Grants a GO

The Library Advisory Board met this Monday, September 29th, where they shared that village grants writer Lauren Groesbeck ensured the library’s grant funding was saved in the aftermath of last year’s turnover and extended library closure.

Window repairs and a kitchen update to the tune of $43,859.65 are paid for through a one-time Rural Library Grant. The General Obligation (GO) Bonds of $11,545.82 need to be used by April of next year for library resources and equipment.

A State Grants-in-Aid and Rural Library Program Grant, combined at over $25,000, must be spent on collections, salaries, and professional development by June 30, 2026.

Village Board Vacancies

The Library Advisory Board has three open seats. The Planning and Zoning Commission has two openings.

There is one Village Trustee position open to appointment by the mayor. All interested candidates can apply through the village website. Here’s how:

Head to “CloudcroftVillage.com”
Scroll down the landing page to the “Cloudcroft Job Position Survey”
Select “Cloudcroft Village VOLUNTEER position”
Fill out the extensive application.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Ski Cloudcroft:

Meet Your Next Council. Ask Questions.

This November, the Mayor seat, three Trustee positions, and the Judge are on the village ballot, along with three Board of Education seats.

Tuesday, October 14th, the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce and the Cloudcroft Reader co-sponsor a public candidate debate featuring Tim King and Dusty Wiley.

Get to know trustee candidates Keith Hamilton, Gail McCoy, and Danny Hardwick, and hear from Judge Mark Tatum. RSVP for the debate at the Lodge Pavilion—complete with a cash bar and desserts—by emailing us at rsvp@cloudcroftreader.com.

Want your event listed in the Reader’s upcoming events guide and business updates? Let us know at events@cloudcroftreader.com.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, High Altitude:

Notice of Public Hearing: Tonight, October 1st at 6:00 p.m.

The village is meeting to consider adopting an ordinance “to allow the Governing Body of the Village of Cloudcroft to enter into an agreement with Southwest Sports Solutions, Inc. for the lease of village property known as the James Sewell Ice Rink.”

The Reader will attend and report developments in this story.

Check out the Reader’s 2025 Elections videos on YouTube:

Stay tuned—we’ll post more videos as the election race progresses.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like Sacramento Camp and Conference Center:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures
Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
The Southern most ski area in New Mexico
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Position your business just one click away.

Cloudcroft Stars make local news.

Thank you for supporting independent, factual and fair coverage.

Special Edition: Emergency Management Sessions and Reporting

Reader Staff — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:46:54 GMT

EMT Hilary Kitzman (L) and Volunteer Fire Department District Chief Lewis Hornbuckle (R) talk shop at Leadership Cloudcroft’s Emergency Management session.

Public Safety: Leadership Cloudcroft Emergency Management Notes

On Saturday, September 20th, the Leadership Cloudcroft cohort and key community members gathered at the High School Commons to discuss emergency management in and around the village.

The Leadership Cloudcroft group was joined by community figures including mayoral candidate Dusty Wiley, Burro Street Exchange owner Phyllis Turner, new Chamber of Commerce Manager Maddie Garner, Sacramento Camp Program Manager Rachel Tvede, and others.

Attendees enjoyed a lunch of enchiladas and all the fixings, prepared by students from the school’s Culinary Program. As they dined, they listened to presentations from local emergency managers and asked questions about public safety.

Who are our local first responders?

Otero County Office Emergency Services, headed by Matt Clark, is the central hub for emergency incidents on the mountain. Calls for 911 are routed through the Tularosa Basin Regional Dispatch Authority, which serves Cloudcroft even after TBRDA’s recent restructuring.

National Forest Hotshot team members and crews are stationed in the Lincoln National Forest. During peak fire season, a rotating cast of hotshot crews can be seen in and around Cloudcroft.

We’re also served by our local volunteer fire department and EMTs, the Otero County Sheriff’s Office, the Lincoln National Forest law enforcement officers (of which there are now two), Game & Fish, and the State Police.

According to the Cloudcroft VFD, the recent consolidation of the Otero County Volunteer Fire Departments will not affect our local station.

Cloudcroft’s Police Department now consists of a sole officer-in-training, Ali Manzo. At the regular September council meeting, Mayor Tim King said the village has candidates who’ve applied for Cloudcroft PD positions.

Who patrols Cloudcroft now?

Roger Schoolcraft spoke about the Otero County Sheriff’s coverage of the mountain—he arrived at the session a few minutes late after responding to incidents in Timberon and Mayhill.

After stepping down as Cloudcroft’s Chief of Police in December 2024, he now serves as a Mountain Deputy with the Otero County Sheriff’s Office. Four deputies are covering 220 square miles, including Cloudcroft.

Schoolcraft is joined by officers Mitchell, Lauder, and Jones.

Schoolcraft stated that the mutual aid partnerships are strong between multiple agencies, including Game & Fish officers, the State Police, and Forest Service law enforcement officers. Cross-commissioned officers can respond within Cloudcroft’s village limits.

Their typical response time can be up to 45 minutes, depending on their location and road conditions.

“My resources at any given time may be really narrow… so we call the state police. We need mutual aid. In Alamogordo, I make a traffic stop and somebody’s giving me a hard time… within two minutes, I’ve got two officers right there helping me out. Up here, it might be five or ten minutes or 15 minutes, depends on what’s going on,” he said.

One challenge is the radio communication dead zones two miles east of Cloudcroft on Highway 82.

On Cloudcroft’s PD

“I think a police department should be fundamental to every community in the United States, whether it’s a four-man police department or a two-man police department,” he said.

Schoolcraft emphasized that the police chief in Cloudcroft should be a “working chief of police,” meaning someone who is not just an administrator but is actively out in the community, taking calls and leading by example. He states: “You don’t sit in an office in a small community, with your chief badge on, and not be out taking calls. You’d better be Johnny-on-the-spot, the guy that they can call.”

He said that in the process of hiring a new chief, it is crucial to choose someone who is invested in the community, understands community policing, and intends to stay long-term, not just treat the job as a brief assignment.

“The worst thing you can have is an invisible police force. If you’re not out patrolling the community, being an active presence… then what good are they to the village?”—Deputy Roger Schoolcraft

Schoolcraft stressed that the chief’s responsibility is to look out for their people—meaning the officers and the community alike—and that “it’s just find the right people, keep them in place, keep them happy, train good equipment, and have a good chief of police that’s going to take care of their people and be a working chief of police”.

Safety and our schools

Elementary and Middle School Principal—and Cloudcroft alumna— Nolene Adams serves as Cloudcroft Schools’ Emergency Coordinator.

The school recently upgraded its infrastructure with a new radio system, and will use the GO Bond to fund additional security vestibules at school entrances.

“One of the biggest things about safety is it costs a lot of money. Especially in the school system. Our bond is coming up, and so I really do want to encourage you to vote,” Adams said.

Older grades use lockers, and backpacks aren’t allowed in the classroom.

“All of their stuff is in their lockers, and we do random bag checks. As a middle school teacher, kids were vaping in my classroom. And I could not catch them,” Adams said.

When asked how the Yondr pouches and cell-phone lockdowns could affect a crisis, Adams said that the absence of an influx of calls would prevent cell tower overloads and allow the emergency managers to coordinate with responders…

Special Edition: Emergency Management

The Wednesday Review focuses on this vital topic: public safety in Cloudcroft. Below, we link to our recent coverage and resources for the village’s emergency management, fire prevention resources, and more.

But first, ICYMI:

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, the New Mexico Rails-To-Trails Association:

Saturday, September 27th: Fire Prevention Day

Want your event listed in the Reader’s upcoming Fall events guide and business update? Let us know at events@cloudcroftreader.com.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, The Lodge:

Notice of Public Hearing: October 1st at 6:00 p.m.

Check out the Reader’s 2025 Elections videos on YouTube:

Stay tuned—we’ll post more videos as the election race progresses.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like The Stove and Spa Store:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures
Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
The Southern most ski area in New Mexico
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Position your business just one click away.

Cloudcroft Stars make local news.

Thank you for supporting independent, factual and fair coverage.

Village Meeting Takeaways, Off the Beaten Path, Emergency Management, Mayor Debate, and More

Reader Staff — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:17:51 GMT

An artist’s concept of the proposed Cloudcroft pedestrian bridge for the western side of Highway 82. The council approved a resolution to apply for funding for feasibility, planning, and designs.

Village Council Meeting: 8 Takeaways

Trustees Hamilton, Maynard, and McCoy unanimously approved a village compensation plan drafted by consulting firm Grayson Mathews. Lubbock-based Audrey Davis telepresented at the meeting, sharing how the plan compared Cloudcroft to other Southeast New Mexico rural towns and other mountain resorts to arrive at the pay scale ranges.
Tuesday, September 23rd, the council plans a special meeting to discuss and rework the budget after mistakes were found, according to Mayor Tim King. Trustees Maynard and Hamilton were careful to emphasize that the compensation plan is a framework and not a requirement. Hoping to bring to a resolution a long-simmering struggle, Trustee Maynard requested that the raises for the Water and Maintenance Department appear on the meeting’s agenda so the Trustees can once again approve the raises promised and paychecks can be funded. Mayor King appeared to agree to place them on the next agenda.
Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal emphasized to the council the need to free up funding for projects such as road repair and fire hydrant replacement. Pumps in the Sewage treatment plant and the Chataqua lift station recently failed and were replaced at a cost of roughly $50,000. Also, the department’s deployment of new fire hydrants requires, in some cases, a temporary water shutoff of nearby properties for a few hours due to old valves. The public is notified of the affected areas through Facebook.
Chief of Police Rolando Hernandez resigned his post on Monday, September 15th, citing family obligations for his departure. Mayor King said he has a couple of new prospects. There was no mention of how the hiring process would work this time.
The council renewed the Cloudcroft Art Workshops lease for one year. Mayor King plans to have all of the village’s properties assessed to determine leasing agreements in the future. Trustee McCoy was the only “No” vote.
Village Finance Director Sylvia Hall was sworn in as Interim Clerk.
The council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing an application to the U.S. DoT’s Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program for the Cloudcroft pedestrian bridge project feasibility, planning, and design.
The Tiny Art Show is back at the Michael Nivison Public Library. All ages are welcome—bring your 7x7-inch-or-less artwork in any medium to the library by October 13th to participate. Join the reception and awards on October 17th at 6:00 p.m.

Watch the meeting through the Village of Cloudcroft Facebook livestream. You won’t see the council, though—the camera faces the audience.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Future Real Estate:

Explore Rentals

Lodgers Tax Board Meeting: 9-17 at 11:00 a.m.

The advisory board meets at the village chambers today. See the agenda here:

Lodger's Tax Advisory Board Meeting 9_17_25

283KB ∙ PDF file

You’re Invited: Emergency Management Session

Do you have questions about emergency management for Cloudcroft? Leadership Cloudcroft will open to the public for this important topic.

We're accepting an additional 25 citizens-at-large to join our cohort of leaders in class on Day Four: Emergency Management session on September 20th at the CHS Commons.

See the agenda here and reserve your spot with dayfour@cloudcroftreader.com to join:

Leadership Cloudcroft: Emergency Management agenda

3.09MB ∙ PDF file

Meet Your Next Mayor (And Trustees)

Check out the Reader’s 2025 Elections videos on YouTube:

Stay tuned—we’ll post more videos as the election race progresses.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like Osha Trail Depot:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures

Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
Pizza and Summer Tubing start July Fourth!
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Position your business just one click away.

There’s one more day to double your dollar.

Cloudcroft Stars make local news. Thank you.

If you want the Cloudcroft Reader to continue chronicling the Cloudcroft community, we need your support. For one more day, your pledge dollars double, thanks to an anonymous donor.

High Altitude Classic, Upcoming Events, Village News, Homecoming, Roadless Rule Removal, and More

Reader Staff — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:27:42 GMT

Upcoming Events & New Biz

It’s September in Cloudcroft: elk are bugling, leaves are changing, and spotted forest babes are bounding.

Check out these upcoming local events and business updates on the mountain.

Gather

Sunspot Observatory: From September 8th to October 3rd, the Dunn Solar Telescope will study the interiors of Jupiter and Saturn. This year, a “rare alignment lets us see more of (Saturn’s) disc than usual.”

Bring a chair, friends and family, snag some snacks from Tree-Riffic Toys and Candy, and catch a free showing of Jurassic Park 2 behind the Burro Street Exchange on Saturday, September 13th, starting at 7:30.

Cloudcroft Lumberjack Day is back at Zenith Park on Saturday, September 13th. Competitions begin at 9:00 a.m. and include axe throwing, chainsaw and crosscut races, and a kids’ halftime show. Note: next year, the popular competition will take place at Ski Cloudcroft. Vendors can contact jessica@skicloudcroft.net.

Stick around for the Chamber of Commerce Heritage Days & Car Show on September 14th at Zenith Park. Both Lumberjack Day and the Car Show will have nearly 50 vendors, according to the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce.

On the 12th and 13th: Heaven Help the Po’ Taters at the Zenith Park Pavilion. Get ready to boo, hiss, and throw popcorn at the villain, played enthusiastically by Wells Nunzio Adam Vaiana.

Enjoy the smell of New Mexican green chiles at The Highland on September 13th, where a Hatch Chile Roaster will be on site. Grajeda Farms chile will be available in medium, hot, and extra hot.

New Businesses

Just a small stroll away from Burro Avenue, the new Osha Trail Depot carries local art, handmade wares, and southwestern goods—located in the former High End Cannabis retail space.

Sharlene Rogers, Nurse Practitioner, alongside daughter and R.N. Sabina McClain, recently opened Mountain Grit Wellness in downtown Mayhill next to the park. They’re open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and every other Saturday by appointment.

The wellness center includes a medical clinic for medical assessments and consultations, and a spa. Spa treatments include a “Theralight Red Light” bed, a Halo Salt Therapy Sauna, and compression boots. The medical center offers various cocktails of vitamin I.V. solutions and injections.

The clinic will also offer wrinkle reduction injections—also known as Botox. Rogers plans to conduct insulin consults for folks with diabetes and insulin resistance.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by Off the Beaten Path:

Village News: Clerk Foster Resigns

In a letter dated Monday, September 8th, newly-hired Village Clerk Tabitha Foster resigned her post.

Foster said,

“When I started this journey almost two years ago, I had all the hopes and dreams of making a difference in this Village that my family calls home. But unfortunately, the last two years have been very trying on my young family and as a mother I have decided that I must put them first. I will be taking a step back from all public affairs. I will continue to support the Village and our council as I can but at this time it must be without my presence.”

In a Village of Cloudcroft Facebook post, Mayor Tim King said of Foster’s resignation,

“This is a very sad day for me. I met Tabitha two years ago when both of us were running for two open trustee positions. I was impressed with her passion for the village and her willingness to serve. Neither one of us realized the issues we would face—the political challenges, the unexpected hurdles, and the sheer intensity of the role—but Tabitha tackled them all with grace, determination, and an unwavering commitment to our community.”

”For any government to run successfully there is one key ingredient. That is a dedicated, committed citizenry that is willing to step up, make the hard choices, and work, work, work.”

The Bears rallied and put the homecoming game into an exciting overtime

Cloudcroft Homecoming: Bears Fight Into O.T.

Cloudcroft’s Homecoming football game was all heart and hometown pride.

The Bears rallied from behind to tie the Hagerman Bobcats 20-20, sending the game into an electrifying overtime in front of packed stands.

Though the final score was 36-28 for Hagerman, the fight from Cloudcroft’s team made this a night to remember.

View Homecoming Photos

Check out the Reader’s 2025 Elections videos on YouTube:

Stay tuned—we’ll post more videos as the election race progresses.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Instant Karma:

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like PVT:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
Pizza and Summer Tubing start July Fourth!
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Position your business just one click away.

Cloudcroft Stars make local news. Thank you.

If you want the Cloudcroft Reader to continue chronicling the Cloudcroft community, we need your support. Now through September 18th, your pledge dollars double, thanks to an anonymous donor.

Roadless Rule Removal, Village Admin Changes, Meet Your Next Mayor, Homecoming Car Bash, Pickleball News, and More

Reader Staff — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:41:18 GMT

Bighorn Sheep catch some sun in the Lincoln National Forest

Roadless Rule: Public Comment Open

This summer, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is rescinding the Roadless Rule.

The 2001 rule prohibited road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvests on nearly 60 million acres of national forests and grasslands.

On August 27th, Rollins opened the public comment period for the proposed rule change until September 19, 2025.

Find more info and leave a comment at the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16581/special-areas-roadless-area-conservation-national-forest-system-lands

The USDA website states that “the public is invited to comment on the potential effects of the proposal to guide the development of the environmental impact statement.”

The Reader has reached out the the Lincoln National Forest (LNF) Service and will report answers to how this will affect LNF and any developments in this story.

VoC Special Meeting: What Happened

Here are three big moments from the Village Council special meeting last night, Tuesday, September 2nd:

Former Trustee Tabitha Foster, who resigned her elected position as trustee last week, was unanimously approved as Village Clerk for $31.25 per hour.
Chief of Police Rolando Hernandez’s salary of $80,000 per year was approved by the council, with Trustee McCoy and Hamilton voting “yay,” Trustee Maynard voting “nay.”
Trustee Maynard asked village-contracted Attorney Zach Cook if the council's vote on maintenance employee raises from the budget meeting was legally binding. Cook said, “Yes.”

See for yourself on the Village Facebook Livestream.

Check out the Reader’s 2025 Elections videos on YouTube:

Stay tuned—we’ll post more videos as the election race progresses.

High Altitude Trail Videos on Instagram

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, High Altitude:

Pickleball Court Resurface Project Underway

New pad, new paint on three of the Cloudcroft pickleball courts

Half of Cloudcroft’s courts have been resurfaced. Upon approval—fingers crossed for no dead spots—the village will continue with resurfacing repairs.

Check out the three new, dark blue courts—they are play-ready.

Cloudcroft’s Ballot: Meet Your Candidates

The filing deadline (and write-in deadline) came and went at the Otero County Clerk’s Office. Here’s who’s running for the Village seats.

Mayor:
Incumbent Timothy King and last year’s election runner-up, Gerald Dusty Wiley

Trustee:
Incumbent Gail McCoy, appointee Keith Hamilton, and newcomer Danny Hardwick

School Board:
Current Board President Lance Wright, plus Bruce Odom and Michele Anthony.

Judge:
Incumbent Mark Tatum

Locals swung the sledgehammer at last year’s homecoming Car Bash fundraiser—happening again tonight, Wednesday, September 3rd.

Heavy Hitters: Annual Car Bash is Back

Head to the ice rink tonight, Wednesday, September 3rd, for the homecoming bonfire and car bash fundraiser. Vent some steam and take a swing—proceeds will help send Hotshot the Bears’ Mascot to the Citrus Bowl.

The public is welcome to attend.

“All-American” Hotshot Heads to Citrus Bowl

Hotshot the Mascot, aka Alyssa Singer, will wow stadium crowds this December.

Cloudcroft’s own Alyssa Singer clawed her way to mascot fame—she’s set to join 50 elite mascots for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl halftime show in Orlando, Florida on December 31, 2025.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Blushing Yucca Esthetics:

Book my glow up!

Forest Closures: Do’s and Don’ts

The Reader recently reported on Bluff Springs and other forest closures.

What’s allowed in the mapped closure areas?

Do (From the Lincoln National Forest Facebook Page):

Forest Service roads remain open for motorized travel within the mapped closure area.
Trails remain open for hiking, horseback riding, and other non-motorized use (see Motor Vehicle Use Map for designations).
Trails designated for motorized use including dirt bikes and OHV’s less than 50 inches in width remain open.
Developed campgrounds are open for overnight stays.

Don’t:

Camp (no dispersed camping allowed)
Drive or park any motor vehicles in the closure area—includes off-highway vehicles (OHVs)
Build, maintain, or use any campfires, even in stone rings

Pro Tip:
Check for signs at the entrance and visit the official Forest Service site for the latest updates and maps.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage:

Book appointment

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
Pizza and Summer Tubing start July Fourth!
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Position your business just one click away.

If you want the Cloudcroft Reader to continue chronicling the Cloudcroft community, we need your support. Pledges from individuals like you fuel our efforts. Please join us today.

I support local, independent news

Cloudcroft Stars make local news. Thank you.

Michael Johnson, The Cloudcroft Directory, Roger Brown, Richard F Lamb, Brent Jordan, Joan Nussbaum, Kate Mangelsdorf, Brian Risinger, Jane Klayman, Larry and Dee Beck, Vickey and Dusty Wiley, Diana Lehr, Sue Preslar, Amy Coor, Dana and Amy Dunlap, Lyn Canham, Stephanie and Brian Collins, Sharon Holmes, Robert Smaltz, Allen Henson, Charlotte Zimmerman, Michael Joiner, Carie Mckinney, Sam Coats, Robert Levy, Suzannah Cox, Marietta Crane, Mark Ferring, Bing and Jan Graffunder, Greg and Lisa Spier, Bill and Pat Neal, Elizabeth Blohm, Brian Risinger, Nancy Elle Igo, Jan Clarence, Steph Snedden, Carol Peacock, Amanda Kemp Waldmannstetter, Tammy Vasilatos, Marina Ellison, Brent Jordan, Tod Taylor, Mike & Jill DeGraw, Alynn Rivera, Brian & Cristy Thomma, Charles Venable, Sandra McBrayer, Barbara Hartley, Keith Hamilton, Mike & Flora McClung, Hal Payne, Kathy Switzer, Ray Haller, Gary Calmia, Joan Nussbaum, Billy Anders, Don Vanlandingham, Patricia Troell, Meredith Kosse, Anne Shuttee, Mike and Marilyn Moffitt, Sean Smith, Carolyn Anderson, Robert Mace, Don Watts, Matt Willett, John & Debbie Ferdetta, Joshua and Jackie Lee, Jim Anderson, Tom & Pam Runyan, Wes and Pat Gaskill, Charles Townley, Dave Venable, Dennis Latimer, John Bufton, Javier & Patricia Alvillar, Bruce and Mandi Smaga, Skip Smith, Bill Ley, William Hanson, Greg and Courtney Blackman, Roger Donnelson, Laura Robertson, Debbie Tate, James Carlton, Carrie McDonald, Pat McLeod, Angela Hagen, Adrienne West, Julie Swift, Karen Highfill, Michael Johnson, Jack Britton, Tom Krajci, Stan and Joani Watson, Paul McSherry, Jim Worthan, Eric Pearson, Malina Pearson, Peter Kendall, Carl Wyatt, Stan and Ginger Hearne, Earle Neill, April Hearne, Rusty Roots, Nancy Slater, Lacinda & Rodger Walker, Earle Neill, Jim Goodwin, David Amidei, John Bennett, Janyce Chesnut, Rhonda Grant, Chris Milya, Carla Moore, Jackie and Larry Pryor, Dorian Ramirez, Charles Ramay, John and Carrie Snook, Aileen Duc, Mike and Marty Mills, Terry and Joann Means, Susan Booth, Cheryl Kaufman, Sara Sims, Guy Lutman, Hans Steinhoff, Herman Graffunder, Carol Stanfill, Kirk Cooper, Ann Davis, Steven G Henry, Sonnie Hill, Jean Ramsey, John Sarrels, Charlene Basham, Patti Howell, Waitt Family, Mario Romero, Craig and Dru Chapman, Hilda Gerardo Acuna, Jann Hunter, Don Stowe, Amy Parker-Morris, Leah Ross, Sally and Prentice Blanscett, Lyn Canham, Amy Dunlap, Linda Rawson, Renee Hays, Brian Risinger, Charles Day, Mark Tatum, Sam Coats, Brian and Stephanie Collins, Dixie Rogers, Cheri Hass, Laurel & John Walters/Cronin, David and Anne Marie Larsen, Dina Sennett, Summit Supply, Amy Felix, Barbara Pugh, Justin Damron, Dana Dunlap, Dennis Magill, Rod & Barbara Slaton, Diana Lehr, Lyn Canham, George Marshall, Rand Carlson, Andrea Ohare, Diana Lehr, Diane McMahon, Bob & Donna Shepherd, Glena Muncrief, Shelby Manford, Deborah Cole, Mike and Stacey Hyman, Linda Hamilton, Gail Overstreet, Andrew Colglazier, Julie and Eric Pearson, Terry Schul, Rand Carlson, Amy Coor, Suzannah Cox, Barbara and Bryan Johnson, Gina Sweeny, Lynn Owen, Judith Langlois, Diane Thomas, Laryssa Alvarez, Brian Risinger, Craig Turner, Carl Wyatt, Betty Sheker, Carie Mckinney, Rebecca Barrows, Judith Langlois, Jim & Francis Curtis, Cheri Hass, Kurt Kochendarfer, Alexandra Carilli, Greg Switzer, J & S Blanchett, Jan Graffunder, Barbara Hoskins, Martha & Larry Dahl, Linda Meyer, Tom McLaughlin, Jessie Willett, Heidi Gibbons, Karen Highfill, Herman Graffunder, Michael Johnson, Anonymous, Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce, Earle & Dixie Neill, Tracy Lockhart, Bill Sandusky, Sandra Barr, Pat Ray, Robert Mace, Mary Bott, Barbara Scheuter, Cynthia Buttram, Andra Sanders, Tod Taylor, Donna G Casey, Kathy Lee Alvoid, Valerie Stagaman, Nancy Penner, Gerardo Acuna, Marietta Crane, Randy Melton Electric, Michael London, Nikki Castle, Joan Nussbaum, Cheryl Puterbaugh, Mark Ferring, Lisa & Greg Spier, Kay Magill, Anne Spier, Mark Tatum, Jonathan Coker, Carl Milburn, Judy Gordinier, Glenn Edwards, Anonymous, John Sarrels, Kenna Darling.

Cloudcroft's Ballot, Car Bash, School News, Village Survey and Reporting, Upcoming Melodrama, and More

Reader Staff — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:24:18 GMT

The village will cast their votes this November: Mayor, Trustee, School Board, and Judge are up for grabs.

Cloudcroft’s Ballot: Meet Your Candidates

The filing deadline came and went at the Otero County Clerk’s Office yesterday, August 26th. Here’s who’s running for the Village seats.

Mayor:
Incumbent Tim King and last year’s election runner-up, Dusty Wiley

Trustee:
Incumbent Gail McCoy, appointee Keith Hamilton, and newcomer Danny Hardwick

School Board:
Current Board President Lance Wright, plus Bruce Odom and Rebecca Michele Anthony.

Judge:
Incumbent Mark Tatum

Leadership Cloudcroft meets tomorrow to hear from the candidates. The Reader will introduce to the community those on the ballot through video, interviews, and more in the coming weeks.

Locals swung the sledgehammer at last year’s homecoming Car Bash fundraiser—happening again Wednesday, September 3rd.

Heavy Hitters: Annual Car Bash is Back

Head to the ice rink next week for the homecoming bonfire and car bash fundraiser. Vent some steam and take a swing—proceeds will help send Hotshot the Bears’ Mascot to the Citrus Bowl.

The public is welcome to attend.

School Board August Meeting

The Reader attended last week’s school board meeting, loaded with policy discussions involving A.I. usage, bonds, and more.

New staff were welcomed: Special Education Aides Laryssa Alvarez and Shayla Sterbenz; Custodian Melissa Najera; Middle School Computers Teacher Serena Myers; and, High School Science Teacher Marymar Newell.

The board is reviewing school policies for A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) use. It seemed likely the policy would allow for A.I. in the classroom, under each teacher’s discretion. Principal Nolene Adams announced the introduction of A.I. tech Amira Learning, which bought iStation, the school’s regularly used software. Notably, Amira will assist with dyslexia diagnosis—although the school still plans to conduct teacher-led screenings.

The board approved paying off bonds with excess cash. The motion was made, seconded, and carried with all members voting in favor.

The district has $968,000 in excess cash available to pay off:

$200,000 outstanding on 2014 bonds
$350,000 outstanding on 2015 bonds

To watch the board meetings yourself, check out the school’s livestream.

The Cloudcroft Schools’ Bear Facts meeting will be on September 2nd from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the High School Commons.

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Melodrama Season Finale Starts This Weekend

Grab a seat, grab your popcorn—it’s the end of the Cloudcroft Light Opera Company Melodrama season in Cloudcroft. Heaven Help the Po’Taters has a full cast and comedic slant.

Catch shows for free at the Zenith Park Pavilion this weekend and September 12th and 13th.

“All-American” Hotshot Heads to Citrus Bowl

Hotshot the Mascot, aka Alyssa Singer, will wow stadium crowds this December.

Cloudcroft’s own Alyssa Singer clawed her way to mascot fame—she’s set to join 50 elite mascots for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl halftime show in Orlando, Florida on December 31, 2025.

As Hotshot the Bear Mascot, Singer was chosen through a competitive tryout at cheerleader camp, earning Mascot All-American honors as one of the top 10% in the country. For the Florida-based halftime show, Alyssa will rehearse for a week before wowing 60,000 fans.

So, when you spot Hotshot tossing out pawsome high-fives around Cloudcroft, make sure to cheer—she’ll be representing our hometown spirit on a national stage.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, The Lodge:

Forest Closures: Do’s and Don’ts

The Reader recently reported on Bluff Springs and other forest closures.

What’s allowed in the mapped closure areas?

Do (From the Lincoln National Forest Facebook Page):

Forest Service roads remain open for motorized travel within the mapped closure area.
Trails remain open for hiking, horseback riding, and other non-motorized use (see Motor Vehicle Use Map for designations).
Trails designated for motorized use including dirt bikes and OHV’s less than 50 inches in width remain open.
Developed campgrounds are open for overnight stays.

Don’t:

Camp (no dispersed camping allowed)
Drive or park any motor vehicles in the closure area—includes off-highway vehicles (OHVs)
Build, maintain, or use any campfires, even in stone rings

Pro Tip:
Check for signs at the entrance and visit the official Forest Service site for the latest updates and maps.

High Altitude Classic: Sept. 7th

Cloudcroft’s popular annual mountain bike race is back!

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Check out Reader videos on YouTube for short reports, mini docs, and more.

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