Otero County

Otero County was the nineteenth of the thirty-three counties to be created. Established in 1899, the county was created from parts of Doña Ana, Lincoln, and Socorro Counties. 

It was named for Miguel Antonio Otero, territorial governor at the time of its creation.  At 6,627 square miles, it is the third largest county in New Mexico and thirty-fifth largest in the United States.  Only 10% of the land area is privately owned; the Federal government, the Mescalero Apache Tribe, and the State Land Office own the rest of the land. 

Two of the U.S. Army’s largest bases, Fort Bliss and the White Sands Missile Range, are located here.  Because of the Army’s work with rocketry here, the New Mexico Space Museum is located in the county seat of Alamogordo. In 1933, President Hoover created the White Sands National Monument, west of Alamogordo, to protect the gypsum sand dunes.  The southernmost ski area in the United States is at Cloudcroft.  Notable citizens of Otero County include astronomer Alan Hale; U.S. Senator Albert Fall; Governor Edwin Mechem, physicist Edward Condon, and actress Kim Stanley.

Upcoming Events

Oct
20
Mon
2025
NEW DATES…….First Line Supervisor – 40 hour Training…..MOVED FROM SEPT. 1-5, 2025 TO OCT. 20-24 @ NM State Fairgrounds, African American Performing Arts, 300 San Pedro Dr. NE, Alb., NM
Oct 20 @ 8:00 am – Oct 24 @ 5:00 pm

Description
This training is intended for Sheriff, Detention Staff, Firefighters, and Emergency Medical First Responders in supervisor and leader roles.  Course is free to NMC Law Enforcement Insurance Pool Members.  Non-pool members may inquire about attending (pending availability) for a fee. See attached flyer for more details.

https://www.nmcounties.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/40-First-Line-Supervisor-Flyer-Albq.-July-2025.pdf

RSVP

 

Nov
12
Wed
2025
BASIC Peer Support Training for First Responders (2 day) @ PSPG, 8341 Washington St. NE., Albq., NM
Nov 12 @ 8:00 am – Nov 13 @ 5:00 pm

Description

This four-day course is designed to be interactive with live scenario situations.  It is focused on teaching public safety personnel the art of peer support. Participants will gain crucial knowledge about communication skills and techniques that are effective in supportively working with people to gain a mutually beneficial outcome.  Participants will also learn to address people in crisis in a manner that reduces tension and the possibility for physical injury to anyone involved. This course is accredited by the NMLEA.  See attached flyer for more details.

https://www.nmcounties.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Basic-Peer-Support-November-2025.pdf

RSVP

 

Nov
17
Mon
2025
CIT – 40 hour Crisis Intervention Training @ PSPG, 8341 Washington St. NE. Albq., NM
Nov 17 @ 8:00 am – Nov 21 @ 5:00 pm

Description

This 40-hour training provides verbal de-escalation, crisis intervention, and mental health awareness training.  It is intended for Sheriff Deputies, Detention Staff. Firefighter and Emergency Medical First Responders. Course is free to NMC Law Enforcement Pool members.  Non-pool members may inquire about attending (based on availability) for a fee.  See attached flyer for more details.

https://www.nmcounties.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CIT-Albuquerque-November-2025.pdf

 

RSVP

 

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