About Us

New Mexico First is a public policy organization that engages people in important issues facing their state or community. We offer unique town halls and forums that create concrete, actionable recommendations for policymakers and the public. We also produce a wide range of policy reports on issues such as water, education, healthcare, the economy, and energy. Our research and facilitation services are available to public and private entities.

Our mission statement and core values provide the ethical framework for all our work.

Our state’s two U.S. Senators – Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall – serve as New Mexico First’s honorary co-chairs. The organization was co-founded in 1986 by Senators Jeff Bingaman and Pete Domenici (retired).

U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman

U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (retired)

U.S. Senator Tom Udall

What We Do

New Mexico First conducts four major activities:

1. An annual statewide town hall, convened for the people and policymakers of New Mexico, on a critical issue facing the state (with 12-18 months of extensive implementation follow-up)

2. Specialized town halls for communities, government agencies, and other organizations that need consensus-based feedback on a particular topic

3. Smaller consensus facilitations, such as strategic planning sessions or staff retreats, for groups that do not need a full town hall

4. A statewide program, Tomorrow’s Leaders, that uses the town hall model to engage youth in local policy  

New Mexico First is funded by foundation grants, membership dues, corporate and private contributions, and service contracts with communities and agencies.