edited August 10, 2026:
Nancy here. Sorry for the delay between edits; I will generally aim for updates monthly. For more frequent and wider-ranging local news:
- Subscribe to Informed Los Ranchos comprehensive event listing emails by sending your email address to informedlosranchos@gmail.com
- Subscribe to the excellent North Valley News.
Thanks to both for helping fill a local journalism vacancy!
Aug 9 Meeting Notes
Watch Meeting Video
Aug 9: Today’s meeting was attended by nearly 30 Villagers.
We introduced our new treasurer Lori Duboise – if you see her please thank her for doing this volunteer work to keep our organization legal and liquid.
Nancy read out the Acequia Zoning amendment summary points:
- Retains the 25-foot acequia setback requirement for lots that are larger than .5 acre
- Creates a 15-foot acequia setback requirement for lots that are smaller than .5 acres
- Clarifies that this setback is always measured from the property line nearest to the ditch that is triggering the setback requirement
- Implements a new protective process for when walls or fences are proposed to be within close proximity to an acequia
- Creates a definition of a community ditch
Magda Martinez, Village Director of Economic Development, represented Village P&Z staff and read a statement from the Village. There was speculation about how the ordinance proposal came about. Ideas ranged from property owners wanting to build closer to the ditch, to simply Shanna’s diligent approach to replacing badly written law with something better. There was strong support for obtaining information about how this proposal came about.
A lively and community-oriented discussion followed. There was some discussion about the inconsistency of our laws and difficulty enforcing them as a result. No one present expressed support for the amended Acequia Setback proposal as written. But it was acknowledged that, while the public should have been involved in any conversation about changes to Acequia setbacks before any ordinance change was sent to P&Z, the system had functioned properly in giving ample time to bring the issue to wider attention.
Here are some agreements that came from this FOLR meeting:
While FOLR members are appreciative of the work that has gone into producing these proposals, we do not approve of the revised ordinance (TA-26-2). The variety of circumstances with respect to acequias, property lines, and pre-existing situations make the proposed changes overly simplistic. There needs to be more and better understanding of the many different property/acequia situations before any improvement to our existing ordinances should be attempted. To that end, about a dozen people signed up for an Acequia Citizen Committee. FOLR will shepherd this group to its initial meeting. Wants include:
Paying attention to the needs of:
- Irrigators
- Recreators
- Green Canopy
Illuminate private versus MRGCD ownership with regard to zoning
Balance the needs of community and private residents
Consider Villagers access with respect to fences, walls etc.
Improve enforcement
That’s all for now. Please send corrections & additions –Nancy
One more thing: I stumbled across this History of Acequias
edited July 12, 2026:
July 14 ALERT:
Village Proposes Narrower Acequias
The Planning & Zoning Commission will consider this Tuesday July 14 (agenda item 4e), an ordinance change to eliminate the 25 foot setback for acequias all across the Village.
No substantial justification, nor motivation for doing this, is provided. Rather, vague references to the Master plan and irregular properties are provided as justification. See meeting packet pages 135-142.
The acequias are a prized feature of the Village; why would we want to diminish them in any way?
Who initiated this proposed change, and why?
Come to the P&Z meeting this Tuesday 7/14 at 6pm, Village Hall, to learn more and share your opinion. Below is the relevant portion of the P&Z meeting packet.
We have a local news source!
Get a free month of North Valley News
Friends of Los Ranchos is a non-profit organization working to preserve our Village, land, wildlife, culture, and heritage. Our goal is to encourage a sustainable lifestyle while fostering kindness and a sense of community that respects every person and includes every voice.
Meeting Notes, March 8, 2026
Thank you to residents and trustees who attended. We had a productive meeting with about 30 people. Click here to read about topics discussed. You can also watch a (very hard to hear) video of the meeting.
Trustee Jennifer Kueffer shares the following:
Many of you have shared that you don’t always feel heard during Board of Trustees meetings — and I want to change that. So I’m holding “Talk Tea with Trustee Kueffer” — a monthly opportunity to sit down together, share ideas, ask questions, and talk about what matters most to our Village.
This is your chance to speak directly with me in an informal setting — no agenda, just open conversation and connection.
These gatherings are an opportunity to connect, share ideas, and discuss topics that matter most to our community. Whether you have questions, concerns, or simply want to stay informed, I welcome you to stop by.
Please share this with your neighbors, and stay tuned for upcoming locations!
Let’s keep building a stronger, more connected Los Ranchos — one cup of tea at a time.
Trustee Kueffer: Protecting Los Ranchos
FOLR Gives Village another $2K for open space
On Wednesday November 19, Marsha Adams, FOLR President, along with VP Marcia Smiley, Secretary Nancy and friend and advisor Gordene MacKenzie presented a $2000 check to the Mayor and Trustees at the BOT meeting.
This money is the entire proceeds from the FOLR booth at the Los Ranchos Community Yard Sale in October. The donation is dedicated to the memory of Joe Craig and is to be used for improving the Del Norte Open Space.
Last spring FOLR raised $2300 at the Community Yard Sale which was presented to the Village towards the purchase of open space.
Many Village residents contributed items to be sold and volunteered to help organize and sell in the booth. Thanks to all of you who participated in any way, as well as to the folks who organized this community-building event.