State Awards $3.2 Million For Trails Projects, Rio Rancho Receives Funding
The Economic Development Department awarded more than $3.2 million to 18 outdoor infrastructure projects statewide, including a $50,807 grant to the City of Rio Rancho for trail work. The funding is intended to support an estimated 105 jobs and leverage over $2 million in matching funds, potentially expanding access and economic activity tied to outdoor recreation in Sandoval County.
On December 2, 2025 the Economic Development Department announced awards from the Outdoor Recreation Trails Plus Grant program totaling more than $3.2 million to 18 projects across New Mexico. The funding round is projected to support roughly 105 jobs statewide and to leverage in excess of $2 million in matching funds to improve or develop hundreds of miles of trails and related amenities.
For Sandoval County the award went to the City of Rio Rancho, which received $50,807. The statewide slate of projects includes a range of interventions, such as ADA trail improvements, Rio Grande Trail connector work, signage upgrades, campground development, pump track development, and other efforts to expand outdoor access. These types of investments are aimed at improving accessibility, enhancing visitor experience, and strengthening infrastructure that supports recreation based economic activity.
Locally the Rio Rancho allocation, while modest within the statewide total, can contribute to incremental improvements that affect daily access for residents and the attractiveness of the community for visitors. Trail upgrades and better signage can increase safety and usability, and ADA improvements can broaden who can use public outdoor spaces. The leveraged matching funds requirement also means municipalities and partner organizations must commit resources, which can signal local buy in but also raises questions about capacity to meet match obligations.
The program design carries policy implications for transparency and accountability. Estimated job numbers are projections, and tracking actual job creation, long term maintenance commitments, and equitable distribution of benefits across urban and rural communities will be important for assessing returns on public investment. Municipalities receiving awards will need clear plans for contracting, public engagement, and ongoing maintenance to ensure that short term construction does not yield long term unfunded liabilities.
The final fiscal year 2026 Trails Plus round remains open through January 31, 2026, and an informational webinar will be held on December 10 for prospective applicants. Local officials and community organizations planning projects should consider outreach and coordination with the Outdoor Recreation Division to align proposals with eligibility requirements and to ensure projects deliver measurable access and economic benefits for Sandoval County residents.
