The proposal for the Taos Pines Ranch subdivision was presented to the Colfax County Commissioners on April 5, 1994 by California developer Joe Machock and his engineer Don Desjardin. The development contains 11,040 acres consisting of 98 residential lots of 10 or more acres and 1 commercial lot of 3.27 acres. The south end of the development is bordered by Palo Flechado Pass (Hwy 64). The western boundary is the Carson National Forest and part of the Taos Pueblo. The northeast and east is bounded by private land. Desjardin stated in the proposal that all roads would meet or exceed county standards. They were advised that they needed to provide to the County a statement whereby the developer accepted that the roads were to be public roads but not county maintained until the county accepted them.
There are 9 miles of roads within the subdivision with 2 entrances, one at the top of the pass and one at the bottom. The roads were never accepted by the County because they do not meet county standards, the grades of several roads are too steep for their equipment, and the County does not have the money to maintain them. However, early purchasers of property were told by the developer and some agents that the county would maintain the roads.
On September 9, 1999, a concerned owner called the other owners together to discuss the road problem. At that meeting it was decided to form the Taos Pines Ranch Road Association and a Board of Directors and Officers were elected. The purpose of the Association was to look at various options for solving the maintenance of the roads.
Over a course of time I the association looked at any legal recourse available. Without funds for a law suit against the developer or the County, this option was not feasible. The Association considered a special assessment district in order to collect monies from the owners to improve and maintain the roads. An engineering study was done to determine what needed to be done and at what cost. Billingsley Engineering estimated the cost to rehabilitate the roads and improve drainage would be approximately $23,000. Another $22,346 would be needed to maintain the roads for 5 years. (Today the estimated cost to repair and permanently “fix” the roads is around $3 million.) Since there was no money available for such a project, the owners represented at the initial meetings decided to petition the New Mexico State Legislature to create a Special Assessment District for Taos Pines. The assessments were to be collected from the owners by Colfax County and used for the sole purpose of maintaining the Taos Pines Ranch Subdivision roads.
In order to provide more clout with the legislators, the Taos Pines Ranch Road Association was formed and registered with the state of New Mexico in May 2000. The SAD was approved and the Colfax County Commissioners prepared a resolution stating the terms of the SAD. The County Resolution was approved November 2001. The Commissions resolved that an Advisory Board of 3 to 7 Taos Pines owners would be established and this board would be responsible for planning and advising the county on all aspects of maintenance, construction, billing, etc. The County would advertise for and employ a contractor(s) to do any and all work. This Resolution is renewable every 5 years and is strictly an agreement between the Colfax County Commissioners and the Advisory Board for the SAD. The Board members and the Chairman of the Board are approved by the County. There is no other road maintenance connection between the County and the Taos Pines owners or any association and/or any other organization which may be created by the owners.
In June 2003, the original Association received a 501{c)4 status. In 2006 the name of the corporation/association was changed to Taos Pines Ranch Property Owners Association. Because the original Protective Covenants of the subdivision did not establish a mandatory property owners association, membership in the Association was voluntary with very minimal dues.
In November 2008, a majority of the owners voted on revised Protective Covenants which made the Association mandatory for all owners. Revised Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation were also sent to the owners for their input and final vote. These documents were passed by a majority of the members at the annual meeting, July 12, 2009.
Taos Pines Ranch became the Premiere Firewise Community in Northern New Mexico in December, 2005. Firewise Communities/USA is a project of the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Program. Taos Pines was the first community in Northern New Mexico to receive this designation. Several other communities have joined and are now represented by the Colfax County Coalition of Firewise Communities (CCCFC). Taos Pines Ranch is represented on a web page posted at firewisecommunities.org (Communities/USA tab).
Each year Taos Pines engages in work/educational/learning projects such as forest thinning and restoration, chipper days, representation at educational events and distribution of urban interface fire safety materials. Taos Pines is a participant of the recently approved New Mexico Forestry Grant proposal known as the Collaborative Forest Restoration Program (CFRP) or the La Jara/Taos Pines Ranch project. We will assist the Kit Carson National Forest in establishing a fire break along the upper boundary of Taos Pines Ranch on the Cibola Forest (west) side of the fence. This program also includes several other fire prevention related projects with a number of other participants.
A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) was prepared for Taos Pines in 2006. This plan covers items such as fire prevention requirements for property owners and emergency/evacuation procedures. All owners were provided a copy of the Plan which should be passed along to each new property owner. Extra copies are kept by the Association Board of Directors.
The Association continues to work towards the betterment of the community and more owners are becoming actively involved in various projects. An interactive Community website page has been created whereby owners may have direct access to community activities and to each other. Access to this fun, informative and entertaining site is available to all owners by contacting the Board Secretary or Public Relations Committee at commandpr@taospines.org
The new Board elected in July of 2009 is determined to focus on moving forward, becoming an effective tool for the property owners to make our community a better place for all, and to be transparent and open in all activities and decisions made. We encourage all property owners to participate and ask questions, come to the meetings, and offer opinions. The Board meetings can also be attended by conference call from anywhere in the world. Please contact the Board secretary if you would like instructions on participating in this way.
As the Association grows in fellowship and strength, we feel that the only uphill battle we face is the maintenance of our roads. We feel victory can be achieved by collectively pursuing answers and solutions for this problem. The Association is currently activating crime watch projects, monitoring of ingress & egress at the 2 entrances to our roads and dumpster sites, clean-up and beautification along the right-of-ways and permanent signs at our entrances.
The Association urges all owners to become involved in the protection of our homes and land values. An Annual Meeting of the owners is scheduled at least once a year and any meeting of the Board and/or its Committees is open to the members. Look for the meeting schedule on our website. The website at taospines.org also provides a great deal of information relating to Taos Pines Ranch including important documents and contact information for the Board of Directors, Committees and the SAD Board.
The History of Taos Pines Ranch
Taos Pines Ranch
The premiere Firewise community in northern New Mexico
