Join State Senator Harold Pope, Jr. and New Mexico Water Ambassadors Dr. Ladona Clayton and Patrick McCarthy to hear about outcomes of the 2025 Legislature, what water laws were passed, where water funding was appropriated, the water issues that were funded, and the water priorities that were not. Hear their suggestions for advocates this year to obtain better water resources management funding outcomes from the 2026 Legislature.
Climate warming science was identified early, confirmed repeatedly, and publicly communicated decades ago. Yet organized political opposition and fossil-fuel industry denial delayed action with lasting consequences. This article traces how that shift occurred—and sets the stage for examining what it means for New Mexico’s water future.