Cloudcroft Police Back in Force With Two New Hires, Village Updates, CHS Student Takes TSA National Stage, and Our Summer Field Guide
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Approved: Cloudcroft’s Police Force Expands with Two New Officers
Cloudcroft’s police force doubled in size on Tuesday evening, July 1, following the Village Council’s approval of two new hires during a special meeting.
Newly hired Chief of Police Rolando Hernandez, a Cloudcroft resident and retired Border Patrol agent, will lead the department. Daniel Sepulveda, who brings prior law enforcement experience from Hobbs and Eunice, will serve as a new Peace Officer.
Get to know the new officers in their own words.
Chief of Police Rolando Hernandez, who has lived in Cloudcroft for two years, addressed the audience and the council:
“I’ve been in law enforcement for 33 years. I started as a dispatcher and a reserve deputy back in 1989 down in South Texas. I worked my way up. By the time I left, I was a task force officer undercover for the DEA and I came to the United States Border Patrol. I've been retired for a year and a half.”
“I fell in love with Cloudcroft back in 2005 when I was first [on temporary duty] to the academy in Artesia.”
“I'm going to try my best to make a change. There are three core principles that I've always followed and that's honor, integrity, and vigilance in law enforcement. There’s two things that are very important to me. That's building rapport, building bridges with the stakeholders.”
“Who are the stakeholders? Ranchers, farmers, the community, people that live here, people that visit here, the board. That's who I want to build bridges with. I want to strengthen the bridges with law enforcement, with our local agencies, federal agencies, whoever comes here, whoever drives by, whoever is involved with Cloudcroft. That's who I want to build a relationship with. The whole police department as one.”
“So if I come around knocking on your door, don't worry about it. I'm just trying to get to know you.”
Officer Daniel Sepulveda also shared about his journey to Cloudcroft. He said:
“I come from Southern California, Kern County area. I drove 1,178 miles to New Mexico to be with my fiancé. And now I know why they call it the ‘Land of Entrapment’ because I'm here.”
“Loved it. Love the people. I've had a pretty rough childhood, but that made me who I am today. And I feel it's honestly helped me a lot with my law enforcement journey because I've had my run in with the law, too.”
“When I did security I felt I could do a lot more. I live in this community. Why not help take care of it?”
“I've been hired on as a police officer since January of 2023. I was with Hobbs PD. I had the opportunity to try Eunice, and that's where I actually found myself loving the career.”
“ I got to do what I wanted to do and pace myself. Make sure every person that I've dealt with had felt like they were heard, feel like I cared because I did care.”
“So, fast forward to now. Why am I coming over here? Well, there was misconduct that was happening and I was trying to report it. You know, trying to do the right thing. I held my ground and I guess they formed a click against me. At that point, I've been on administrative leave for quite a while just for trying to do the right thing. It's been months and I felt like my career was being stalled.”
Sepulveda recalls visiting Cloudcroft after seeing the PD job opening:
“I go camping a lot. I still live in Eunice, it's a three-hour drive from here, but I'm willing to make that drive to try to get to know what the place I'm trying to be in.”
“All the shop owners that I talk to, they've been super friendly. It's close-knit. I want to do this. This community seems like they care.”
“One thing I like to tell people is that I whenever I get calls, I know I have the get-up. I know the badge and the gun, but I'm human under here. And I want to treat you human because that's what we both are. Let's make a difference. Let me help you. You help me. Build that relationship.”
“I hope you guys accept me into your community. I'm willing to put 200% into this. Everywhere I look, everywhere I turn my head, it's beautiful here. I want to help keep it beautiful.”
Mayor Tim King swore in both Hernandez and Sepulveda at the Tuesday night special meeting, and they are ready for service.
Cloudcroft High TSA Scores Big at Nationals in Nashville
Cloudcroft High Calculus Teacher, Technology Student Association (TSA) Advisor, and TSA-mama of Sophia and Alexander Newton, Danica Newton announced that the Cloudcroft High School TSA competed well at the 2025 National TSA Conference in Nashville, Tennessee this June.
CHS Junior Alexander Newton placed 5th in the Top 10 National Finalists with his CO2-powered dragster design. Go Bears!
ICYMI: More Village Updates
The Lodgers Tax Advisory Board (LTAB) met Tuesday to discuss managing the FY25–26 Lodgers Tax funds for Cloudcroft tourism.
DMO DOA
Through a certified letter to the Village, the Chamber of Commerce resigned as the Designated Marketing Organization (DMO), a role not required by state law and lacking a formal contract, according to LTAB board members Julie Bragg and Bri Jonnes. LTAB encouraged future applicants to apply directly for marketing funds with detailed plans. The board postponed reviewing received applications until their next meeting on July 10th to ensure fairness.
Making the Brand
Jonnes suggested creating a distinct logo to appear on all marketing funded by Lodgers Tax, to increase transparency over the use of public money. There was discussion about whether the Village might administer some marketing campaigns itself, though Campbell emphasized any Village requests must still go through LTAB for review. The next meeting is July 10th at 9:00 a.m., with applications due to the village by the end of business hours on July 9th.
Current efforts are focused on reforming the system and improving accountability. The Village has identified approximately $200,000 in available Lodgers Tax funds for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
There is a push by the LTAB board members to overhaul the award process to be more comprehensive and competitive, with suggestions to develop Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for various marketing services and to promote Cloudcroft as a four-season destination, including its outdoor recreation and proximity to National Parks, rather than solely focusing on summer events.
Up For Election: Copius Cloudcroft Seats
At the Tuesday night special meeting, the Village Council announced that, according to House Bill 298, as of June 20, 2025, the procedure for filling a mayoral vacancy has changed—Mayor Tim King’s appointment now lasts only until the next election.
That means seven major Cloudcroft seats are up for election on November 4th this year: mayor, two 4-year trustee positions, one 2-year trustee seat, two school board seats, and judge.
Candidate filing day for all local offices for the 2025 Regular Local Election is Tuesday, August 26th between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm in the County Clerk’s office.
Visit this site for more info and to peep the filing forms.
Four Otero County Electric Cooperative (OCEC) Board of Trustees seats are up for election, which will take place at the OCEC Annual Meeting of Members on Saturday, August 2nd at the Cloudcroft High School gymnasium. Find out about nominations, the election, and more online.
Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Future Real Estate.
Independence Day Weekend Events
Fire restrictions have been lifted for Otero County, and the village has followed suit, matching the county's level. Remember, it’s always against the law to set off fireworks in the Lincoln National Forest.
For more information on fire restrictions, view this notice from the Otero County Office of Emergency Services:
On Saturday, July 5th, the Village of Cloudcroft will host an Independence Day Parade, beginning at noon from East Burro and marching through the Burro business district. Folks can sign up online through the village’s GIS dashboard.
Stick around for the Country Street Dance on Burro. Boot scootin’ starts at 5:30 with dance lessons accompanied with tunes by K-Cloud’s Kris Parks until 10:00 p.m.
Hear the Shady Pines Chamber Players play a free concert, Stars & Stripes Cellos, at the Cloudcroft High School Commons on July 5th at 3:00 p.m. Donations are encouraged, with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Cloudcroft Schools Music program.
The place to eat on Saturday July 5th is The Lodge Jamboree. Steak, ribs, chicken, and sides from 1:00–8:00 p.m. Enjoy live music on the lawn from 4:00–10:00 p.m. and a cash bar at the Red Dog Saloon. Just $30 per person ($15 for kids 12 & under).
Party all weekend at the Cloudcroft Brewing Company and The Distillery with special hours, the Rollin’ Up Food Truck on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m, and live music all weekend: Dwayne Wilson Jr., Saturday 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Catfish Fry from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Sage Gentlewing on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
What's Going on in Cloudcroft? Find out with Our Summer Field Guide
Stay up to date with Cloudcroft’s businesses, fresh offerings, and family-friendly events on the mountain this summer.
Seven Springs Fire One Week Later
Today marks one week since the Seven Springs Fire erupted in the Sacramento Mountains. The Reader visits the Incident Command Post as crews make progress on the lightning-caused blaze.
Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by the New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association:
Cloudcroft Ultra Races: Registration Open
The Cloudcroft Ultra 53k, 9.5 mile, 4.75 mile and a 1 mile Kid's Dash trail races are back!
The 53k, 9.5 & 4.75 mile races are on the Rim Trail (T105). Cloudcroft Ultra Organizer Cloudcroft Runners note that “the Rim Trail was the first U.S. Forest Service Trail in New Mexico to be designated as a National Recreation Trail. It is a combination of old Indian paths, railroad grades, homestead trails and logging routes linked together by newer section built in the 1960’s and beyond.”
The Kid's Dash will be a 1 mile loop around Zenith park. All races will start and finish at the Pavilion in Zenith Park.
From the Archives:
Thank you to our sponsor, Laughing Leaf:
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Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:
Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New MexicoTularosa Communications
Internet that keeps you connected.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 ResortsDusty Boots Motel and Cafe
Have a beautiful, restful nightNew Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational TrailsLaughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing LeafInstant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade BoutiqueOff the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artworkFuture Real Estate
Raise your expectations.Ski Cloudcroft
Pizza and Summer Tubing start July Fourth!Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life ImprovementHigh Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro AvenueBlushing Yucca Esthetics
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