A recent survey found 68% of outdoor businesses in New Mexico are expecting to expand over the next three years.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico is not shy about using its natural resources to its advantage. The oil and gas industry is the state’s biggest moneymaker after all, and the scenic landscapes helped bring Hollywood to our doorstep.
But state leaders know the great outdoors has even more potential, and it seems local businesses are ready to cash in.
The state’s Outdoor Recreation Division recently conducted a survey and found out two-thirds of all outdoor business across the state are expecting to expand in the next three years. That’s all because more people are discovering New Mexico’s wild wonders.
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“I feel like the five years of momentum is now at a place where people are really excited to see what’s next in the next five years,” said Karina Armijo, director of the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division.
Armijo believes New Mexico’s outdoor economy is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.
“It contributes $2.4 billion or 1.9% of the state GDP. So it’s a significant part of our economy, and it supports about 28,000 jobs,” said Armijo.
It seems all three of those numbers will go up after a recent survey found 68% of outdoor businesses in New Mexico are expecting to expand over the next three years.
“The trend that we’re seeing, is some more people exploring the outdoors that have never done it in the past, not to the extent that we’re seeing these days,” Armijo said.
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It’s happening in new places, like Farmington, where the outdoor economy is rarely front and center.
“This is our fourth season rockin’, and it’s really taken off here in the Four Corners,” said Ryan Dudgeon, owner of Desert River Guides.
Dudgeon opened Desert River Guides back in 2021, offering family-friendly rafting trips down the San Juan and Animas rivers.
“When people think of whitewater rafting in this area, they think of Durango, or they think of Taos, and they don’t really think of Farmington,” said Dudgeon. “But we just want to get people to know that this is an option here.”
She says it’s mostly New Mexicans floating down the rivers, which is not a bad thing, but they are eager to bring in more out-of-state tourists.
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“It is just getting that marketing out there and getting your name out there,” Dudgeon said.
She’s not alone. According to the survey, nearly 60% of outdoor businesses are looking to advertise outside of New Mexico, especially in Texas, Colorado, and Arizona.
Nearly 65% said that’s where the outdoor recreation division can help out.
“We know the need is out there. We heard it in the survey, and we hope to try to capture more funding so that we’re able to continue supporting that,” Armijo said.
But it’s still smooth sailing even without the extra tourists.
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“I feel like New Mexico’s push for the outdoor recreation was a great idea. I think it’s really gaining some traction,” said Dudgeon.
Since its inception back in 2019, the Outdoor Recreation Division has invested $13 million in outdoor infrastructure projects across the state.
Milder air is present for most compared to yesterday with passing clouds, but with little precipitation. Clouds are partially absorbing yesterday’s warmth from escaping into space, and gustier conditions from the west are mixing that air around, but the drop in the jet stream has led to the slight coolness in the air to start for most.
Air temperatures in the north are starting off mostly from around the upper 20s to the 40s, except for some northern areas starting off around the lower 50s, while elsewhere to the southeast, air temperatures are mostly ranging from around the high 30s to the lower 60s.
Many areas from eastern New Mexico to the Pecos River Valley area will range from the 60s to the 80s from north-northwest to south-southeast from high to low elevation. The northern higher elevations will mostly range from the high 30s to around 50°, while the northern valley floors to western and central areas will mostly range from the upper 50s to the low 80s. Very gusty showers with some rumbles of thunder will be more likely not only in the mountains to nearby areas, but also in the San Juan Basin, the western communities, parts of the Rio Grande Valley, to parts of eastern New Mexico. Storm motions will primarily be moving to the east-southeast.
Temperatures will eventually drop even more tomorrow with the fire threat at least elevated for many eastern areas for both days. For the next couple of days, thunderstorms may locally be strong with brief bouts of moderate rainfall, some graupel & hail, high elevation snow in northern areas, some lightning, & damaging winds possible in local areas with the jet stream overhead.
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Mostly clearer skies will then return later in the week with the jet stream rising back to the northeast, allowing for warmer air to also return with calmer winds before the next gusty cooldown.
DONATIONS CAN BE MADE THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE. TODAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE HOSTED THE 2026 US OPEN HORSESHOE TOURNAMENT, WELCOMING 350 COMPETITORS FROM ALL ACROSS THE U.S. SOME OF THE COMPETITORS SAY IT’S ABOUT CONCENTRATION AND FOCUS. IT’S PRETTY TOUGH COMPETITION, BUT ONCE YOU START GETTING INTO THEIR HEAD OR START TALKING TO THEM, THEY NORMALLY DON’T KNOW HOW TO THROW ANYMORE. AND I HAVE MORE CHANCE TO. YOU CAN START CATCHING UP ON THE SCORE FROM HERE.
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U.S. Horseshoe Tourney showcases Albuquerque venue
For a few days, New Mexico was at the epicenter of a national horseshoe competition.
Updated: 6:40 PM MDT Apr 12, 2026
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It might not be the first one that comes to mind, but the wide world of sports includes horseshoe pitching, and this weekend New Mexico was at the epicenter of a national horseshoe competition.An estimated 350 competitors, supporters, and spectators descended on Mariposa Basin Park in Albuquerque this weekend for the U.S. Open Horseshoe Tournament. Pitchers came from more than a dozen states including Ohio, Idaho, California, Colorado and of course, New Mexico.”This is a fantastic opportunity for us to partner with the Albuquerque Sports Commission and the local horseshoe community,” said Dalton Rakestraw, 2nd vice president of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association and the tournament director. “Albuquerque has an incredible venue at Mariposa Basin Park, a passionate local club and a welcoming community that make it an ideal destination for a national-caliber event.”In addition to visiting competitors, local horseshoe stars include Manuel Garcia, an Albuquerque native and New Mexico Horseshoe Club president.Also expected to make his mark is Santonio Callado, who began pitching when he was eight years old and finished second in the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association World Tournament in Sandy, Utah. He wants to finish first next time.Concentration is the key to his performance, Callado said.”I keep my mind going, not looking around, because I get kind of sidetracked looking at my Mom or looking at somebody. Then I can’t throw,” Callado said. “But when they’re not in my vision, I start throwing again and I start hitting.”
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
It might not be the first one that comes to mind, but the wide world of sports includes horseshoe pitching, and this weekend New Mexico was at the epicenter of a national horseshoe competition.
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An estimated 350 competitors, supporters, and spectators descended on Mariposa Basin Park in Albuquerque this weekend for the U.S. Open Horseshoe Tournament. Pitchers came from more than a dozen states including Ohio, Idaho, California, Colorado and of course, New Mexico.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to partner with the Albuquerque Sports Commission and the local horseshoe community,” said Dalton Rakestraw, 2nd vice president of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association and the tournament director. “Albuquerque has an incredible venue at Mariposa Basin Park, a passionate local club and a welcoming community that make it an ideal destination for a national-caliber event.”
In addition to visiting competitors, local horseshoe stars include Manuel Garcia, an Albuquerque native and New Mexico Horseshoe Club president.
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Also expected to make his mark is Santonio Callado, who began pitching when he was eight years old and finished second in the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association World Tournament in Sandy, Utah. He wants to finish first next time.
Concentration is the key to his performance, Callado said.
“I keep my mind going, not looking around, because I get kind of sidetracked looking at my Mom or looking at somebody. Then I can’t throw,” Callado said. “But when they’re not in my vision, I start throwing again and I start hitting.”
The New Mexico Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 11, 2026, results for each game:
Powerball
06-47-49-53-60, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
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Pick 3
Day: 8-3-7
Evening: 6-6-1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Lotto America
01-21-26-29-32, Star Ball: 06, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
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Pick 4
Evening: 3-5-4-2
Day: 3-9-5-2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Roadrunner Cash
10-19-20-26-31
Check Roadrunner Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
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Powerball Double Play
01-04-22-36-48, Powerball: 17
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Las Cruces Sun-News editor. You can send feedback using this form.
