New Mexico
Survey: New Mexico’s outdoor businesses expected to expand
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.
“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.
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.
“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.
“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.
SANTA FE, N.M. — Former New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jim Ellison is running for governor as a Republican, he announced on social media Tuesday.
Ellison is running on affordability, opportunity and trust in government as the key points of his campaign. His experience includes serving on the NMPRC in 2023 and 2024.
“New Mexico deserves leadership that listens, acts, and delivers results. Our state has enormous potential, but too often that potential is held back by policies that don’t serve everyday New Mexicans,” he said on his website. “I’m running to bring practical solutions, honest accountability, and a renewed focus on the public interest.”
A Georgia native, Ellison has lived in New Mexico for 20 years and currently lives in the Albuquerque area with his wife and two children.
Ellison is aiming to get 5,000 signatures by Feb. 2, to appear on the primary ballot with at least three other Republicans who have announced their candidacy.
Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez announced his campaign in December and recently confirmed to KOB 4 that he received enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and New Mexico State Sen. Steve Lanier are also running.
Three Democrats are running – Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A successful University of New Mexico Lobo athletics season and the athletics director’s departure has culminated in players and coaches making moves.
The moves follow a successful 2025 season and the departure of athletics director Fernando Lovo.
Running back coach John Johnson, special teams coordinator Daniel Da Prato and wide receiver coach Colin Lockett are all leaving the Lobos after just one season. Johnson is headed to Iowa State while Da Prato is expected to join Minnesota and Lockett is headed to UCLA, all for the same jobs.
Johnson’s Lobo running backs ran for more than 1,400 yards. Da Prato’s special teams finished top-five nationally in kickoff returns.
Running back D.J. McKinney entered the portal, he confirmed on social media the day the portal officially opened. McKinney rushed for 464 yards and seven touchdowns with the Lobos.
Two players who received all-Mountain West Conference recognition also made moves. All-Mountain West tight-end Dorian Thomas, who caught for touchdowns for the Lobos, entered the portal. Meanwhile, all-Mountain West honorable mention punter Daniel Hughes is set to leave.
Others set to leave include:
- Cole Welliver, backup quarterback who played in one game
- Landon Williams, defensive end who graduated from La Cueva High School
- Randolph Kpai, senior linebacker who is at the end of his college football career without a waiver
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