Lawmaker asks U.S. attorney to intervene in New Mexico common lands case

By: Austin Fisher – June 2, 2025

New Mexico Rep. Miguel Garcia is asking the top federal prosecutor in New Mexico to reopen a case that allowed the American government to take millions of acres of commonly owned land promised to New Mexicans in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Land grant advocates contend this ruling decimated local economies by reducing vast grazing and timber resources, hastening the decline of grant settlements. If prosecuted, federal intervention could set a powerful precedent for reclaiming common land rights. Read more.

(Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM)

Luján, Leger Fernández Introduce
Legislation to Strengthen Land Grant Communities’ Rights

May 8, 2024

U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) introduced the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act to provide greater cooperation between the federal government and land grant communities. There are 27 community land grant-mercedes that are recognized as political subdivisions under New Mexico law. Read more.

Update: Firewood Sales

April 11, 2025

Thank you to everyone who took advantage of the Las Trampas Land Grant Firewood Sale! We currently have more requests for a cord of firewood than firewood. Therefore, we are no longer accepting requests.

The Las Tramps Land Grant should receive additional logs that will be processed into firewood. Once the next batch of firewood becomes available, we will post the notice again.

Luján, Leger Fernández Reintroduce Legislation to Strengthen Land Grant Communities’ Rights

April 9, 2025

U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) reintroduced the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act to provide greater cooperation between the federal government and land grant communities. There are 27 community land grant-mercedes that are recognized as political subdivisions under New Mexico law. Read more.

New Highway Signs

March 10, 2025

In May 2024, the Las Trampas Land Grant Association worked with New Mexico Department of Transportation to install new signs at on Highway 76 on the Land Grant boundary south of Ojo Sarco and in Chamisal on the border with the Picuris Reservation. A third sign has been ordered to place on Highway 73 in Rodarte at the entrance to Llano de San Juan. We hope these signs help increase awareness and visibility of the Las Trampas Land Grant.