Santa Fe County

Santa Fe County is a scenic area in the northeaster portion of Sangre de Cristo range of the Southern Rocky Mountains, featuring Santa Fe Baldy, the highest point at 12,621 feet, and Lake Peak, more than 12,000 in elevation.

At the mountain’s southern end is Glorieta Mesa, an area of hilly, grassy plains in the Basin and Range Province. The Rio Grande, which passes through the county’s far northwest, and several small, tributary streams are the principal bodies of water. Santa Fe National Forest, Pecos Wilderness, Hyde Memorial, and Santa Fe River state parks, and the San Ildefonso, Nambe, Pojoaque, Tesuque, and Santo Domingo Pueblo Indian reservations are all located in the county.

The development of Santa Fe as the capital of Spain’s vast New Mexico territory dominated the area’s history. The county was established by Mexico in 1844, and in 1852 it was reestablished as one of the first counties in New Mexico Territory. The Battle of Glorieta Pass was fought in the Santa Fe County.

Government bodies are the county’s principal employers, and tourism is a leading economic factor along with the booming film industry. The city of Santa Fe is the county seat and the state capital. The population in the county is approximately 148,651 making it the third most populous county. The county covers a total area of 1,911 square miles.

Upcoming Events

Jun
30
Tue
2026
FREE Online Webinar: Writing Effective Disciplinary Actions
Jun 30 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

ON-LINE: Writing Effective Disciplinary Actions

INSTRUCTOR:  Mark Allen, NMC General Counsel

Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Time: 10am to 11:30am

Participant certificates will be provided.  

Target Audience: Any county supervisor, manager, and HR employees tasked with advising on discipline.  

Description: Discipline is often overturned not because the misconduct didn’t occur, but because it was not properly evaluated, documented, or written. This training will focus on the critical decisions that must be made before discipline is imposed and the writing skills necessary to ensure those decisions withstand scrutiny.

Participants will learn how to:

Determine whether discipline is warranted and supported by evidence

Select the appropriate level of discipline based on severity, intent, and prior disciplinary history (progressive discipline)

Avoid disparate treatment claims

Marshal the facts with clarity, precision, and objectivity

Draft disciplinary actions that are clear, complete, persuasive, and with an understanding the final audience may be an arbitrator, a judge, or a jury.

Registration Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AthlhFgUSN6V6DPo3fJVkw

 

 

Jul
20
Mon
2026
Instructor Development (Train the Trainer) @ 1851 Copper Loop, Las Cruces, NM
Jul 20 @ 8:00 am – Jul 24 @ 5:00 pm

This weeklong class will give you the foundation to become a professional and dynamic instructor.  You will learn the principles of learning and teaching, and the qualities of a good instructor. This course is accredited by the NMLEA and is free to NMC Law Enforcement Insurance Pool members.  Non-members may inquire about attending (pending availability) for a fee. Course detail in attached flyer.

https://www.nmcounties.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/TRAINING-FOR-TRAINERS-Las-Cruces-Sept.-2025.docx

RSVP

Aug
23
Sun
2026
Public Safety Resiliency Summit @ Isleta Hotel and Casino, 11000 Broadway Blvd. SE, Albq, NM
Aug 23 @ 8:00 am – Aug 26 @ 5:00 pm

Description

Three day Resiliency Summit is centered around mental health for Sheriff Deputies, Detention Staff, Firefighter and Emergency Medical First Responders. Event is free to NMC Law Enforcement Pool members. See attached flyer for more details.

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

RSVP

 

Employment Opportunities