Colfax County occupies the northeastern corner of New Mexico’s Rocky Mountain foothills, where the Sangre de Cristo Mountains give way to the high plains along the I-25 corridor near the Colorado border. The county seat is Raton, a community of approximately 6,000 that serves as a gateway city on the historic Santa Fe Trail and I-25 route between Albuquerque and Trinidad, Colorado. The county’s other significant community is Cimarron, a small ranching town of historical importance as the headquarters of the legendary Philmont Scout Ranch — the Boy Scouts of America’s flagship high-adventure base. Philmont, which hosts tens of thousands of scouts and staff each summer, is one of the county’s most significant employers and creates notable seasonal housing demand.
Colfax County’s rental market is modest and split between Raton’s year-round workforce housing and the seasonal employment market around Philmont Scout Ranch and the county’s outdoor recreation economy. Government, healthcare, and school district employment anchor stable year-round demand in Raton. The county has seen interest from remote workers and retirees attracted by its dramatic mountain scenery, mild summers, and proximity to skiing at nearby Angel Fire and Red River. Rents typically run $700–$1,000 per month for available units.
No county rental licensing required. New Mexico has no statewide landlord licensing statute.
Rent Control
None. New Mexico’s Rent Control Preemption Act (1991) prohibits all local rent stabilization ordinances statewide.
Security Deposit
Capped at 1 month’s rent for leases under 1 year. Must be returned with itemized statement within 30 days of termination (NMSA § 47-8-31). Failure triggers double damages plus attorney’s fees.
Eighth Judicial District Court
Evictions filed at Eighth Judicial District Court, 105 N. 3rd St., Raton, NM 87740. Phone: (575) 445-5585. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Seasonal Worker Housing
Philmont Scout Ranch and area outdoor recreation operations create significant seasonal staffing. Seasonal worker housing provided as a condition of employment may fall under the UORRA employee exemption (NMSA § 47-8-8(E)). Consult an attorney before using standard residential leases for seasonal staff housing.
Habitability
UORRA habitability standards apply (NMSA § 47-8-20). Raton at 6,600 ft and Cimarron at 6,400 ft have genuine winters with significant snow — functioning heat is essential and legally required.
Self-Help Eviction
Prohibited statewide. All removals require court process (NMSA § 47-8-36).
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay full amount within 3 days to bar eviction action; also right to cure after judgment in disputed cases
Days to Hearing7-10 (trial set 7-10 days after service of summons) days
Days to Writ3-7 days after judgment (court discretion) days
Total Estimated Timeline14-49 days
Total Estimated Cost$150-500
⚠️ Watch Out
CRITICAL: Rent must be 3 days past due before notice can be served. Tender of full amount due before expiration of 3-day notice bars any action for nonpayment (§ 47-8-33(D)). In disputed cases where tenant claims rent abatement or landlord allocated rent to damages, court enters writ conditioned on tenant's right to remedy within 3 days of judgment entry. Notice must use substantially similar form to § 47-8-56(a). Late fees capped at 10% of monthly rent (§ 47-8-15(D)). No state grace period beyond the 3 days. Filing fee: $80 magistrate + $30 per additional defendant; $157 Metro Court. Hearing set 7-10 days after service. Either party can request 7-day continuance. Tenant can appeal to district court within 10 days (magistrate) or 30 days (district); must pay rent or escrow within 5 days of appeal (§ 47-8-47).
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Magistrate Court (Metro Court in Albuquerque) or District Court - Petition for Restitution (NMSA § 47-8-41). Pay the filing fee (~$$80-157 (magistrate); $212 (district)).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about New Mexico eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified New Mexico attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
Raton workforce: Government, school district, and healthcare workers are the most stable tenants. Verify employment at 3x monthly rent. These workers have low relocation risk in a small community with limited comparable local employment.
Seasonal workers: Philmont and outdoor recreation staff create summer demand. Use fixed-term leases aligned to the season. Confirm whether housing is tied to employment — if so the employee exemption may apply.
Remote workers / retirees: Growing segment. Verify income with employer letter and 3 months bank statements. Excellent long-term tenants if properly screened.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Colfax County New Mexico Landlord-Tenant Law: Guide for Raton Area Rental Property Owners
Colfax County sits in northeastern New Mexico where the Rocky Mountains meet the high plains, a landscape of dramatic volcanic mesas, pine-covered peaks, and open grasslands that has drawn ranchers, miners, and adventurers for centuries. The county seat of Raton, named for the Spanish word for mouse but better known today as a gateway city on the I-25 corridor, sits at 6,600 feet just south of Raton Pass — the high mountain crossing that once carried the Santa Fe Trail into New Mexico and now carries I-25 between New Mexico and Colorado. The Cimarron Canyon and the historic Maxwell Land Grant country to the southwest add to the county’s rich historical and geographic character.
The county’s most distinctive economic feature is Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron — the Boy Scouts of America’s 140,000-acre high-adventure base that hosts tens of thousands of scouts and hundreds of seasonal staff each summer. Philmont is one of the county’s largest employers and generates meaningful seasonal housing demand. For landlords renting to Philmont staff, it’s important to distinguish between housing provided as a condition of employment (which may be exempt from the UORRA under NMSA § 47-8-8(E)) and independent housing rented to Philmont employees who are not provided on-site housing. Standard residential lease procedures apply to the latter; the exemption may apply to the former.
New Mexico Law in Colfax County
New Mexico’s UORRA governs all non-exempt residential rental relationships in Colfax County. The standard framework applies: 3-day pay or quit for nonpayment, 7-day cure or quit for lease violations, 30-day notice for month-to-month termination, 1-month deposit cap for leases under one year, 30-day deposit return, and 10% late fee cap. Raton at 6,600 feet has genuine winters — significant snowfall and temperatures well below freezing from November through April are routine, and Raton Pass can close during major storms. Functioning heating systems are legally required under UORRA habitability standards and practically essential for tenant retention. Evictions are filed in the Eighth Judicial District Court at 105 N. 3rd St., Raton, NM 87740, reachable at (575) 445-5585.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant law is subject to change. Consult a licensed New Mexico attorney or contact the Eighth Judicial District Court in Raton at (575) 445-5585 for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: April 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed New Mexico attorney or contact the Eighth Judicial District Court at (575) 445-5585 for specific guidance. Last updated: April 2026.
