Winter Update and 2025 Property Tax Reclassifications

Hello, Fellow STR Owners.

In our previous update from July 2024 (found here), we informed you that we were awaiting a decision on the Lincoln County case to determine our next steps. Additionally, we will be reaching out to you via email instead of using the Brevo platform. As a grassroots initiative, we are entirely funded and operated by volunteers.

That being said, we have received feedback from STR owners who are currently getting annual tax assessor requests for their STR booking information; many are inquiring about the future steps for Santa Fe County.

Interestingly, we have also recently received news regarding the Lincoln County case and potential actions that other communities might take to tackle the property tax assessment issue.

The Appellate Court has ruled against the Lincoln County case, citing a lack of legal analysis. This outcome is deeply disappointing.

Our plan was to wait for a favorable decision in Lincoln County, as it would enhance our chances of success with a new filing in Santa Fe County.

So, where does that leave us?

In a challenging situation, yet with some optimism.

Numerous factors negatively affect STRS, not just in Santa Fe but across the entire state. These factors include:

• Government officials who lack an understanding of the private sector and make decisions based upon personal bias. In recent election cycles, we have seen a rise in more extreme representatives who do not grasp business dynamics or care about the immediate and long-term economic consequences of STRs for our community and state.
• A prevalent prejudice of "you have something I lack." We are perceived as greedy landlords sitting on excessive wealth gained at the expense of our communities.
• The spread of misleading narratives by local officials claiming that STRs have devastated affordable housing and harmed our communities.
• New Mexico Courts that generally favor government interests over individual rights.

These present significant challenges to address.

So, where is the "hope"?

• Discussions are underway involving several parties and the legal team to determine the most effective way to approach the situation from a state-wide perspective.
• The New Mexico Realtors Association is currently pursuing legislation to refine the definition of "residential property" at the state level, in order to prevent STRs from being reclassified as commercial property. Although success may be uncertain, the endeavor is certainly worthwhile.
• In 2026, two Santa Fe County Commissioners, Justin Greene and Camilla Bustamante, will be up for re-election. 

Justin is an owner of a short-term rental in the city of Santa Fe, but as a county commissioner he has not actively supported STR owners.

Conversely, Camilla has consistently shown her opposition to STRs throughout the ordinance development process.

We understand that many individuals feel disillusioned and fatigued by the political landscape.

However, we are acutely aware, perhaps more than the average citizen, that the decisions made by our local leaders often have a more significant influence on our everyday lives than those made at the state or federal levels.

In 2024, we had a chance to elect a pro-STR candidate in District #2, currently held by Commissioner Lisa Cacari-Stone, but unfortunately, many people failed to register and vote. 

As a result, we are now left with a board comprised four anti-STR commissioners and one lame-duck.

While the legal team continues their discussions, we encourage you to think about how to create a coalition aimed at electing commissioners who base their decisions on fairness rather than personal biases. 

This is where real, enduring change can occur.

Achieving this will necessitate the collective effort of all STR owners in our community. 

We need new leaders in the STR arena to step up and take action.

No sound-minded individual aspires to become a politician, which presents a big problem. What we need are citizens who possess solid reasoning abilities, critical thinking skills, and the business insight necessary to foster the growth of everyone in our community, rather than resorting to attacks on those they don't agree with.  Think about it....if the current clown car of commissioners can get elected, do you genuinely believe you are unqualified and unelectable?

Give it serious thought.  

Will you run for county commissioner?  Will you organize and help elect pro-STR candidates?  

We’d like to leave you with this for the time being:  

You.   Every STR owner in the county spearheaded this initiative, drawing attention to the local challenges we encounter and capturing statewide interest.

Your efforts uncovered the illegal actions of our local officials and the infringement of our constitutional property rights.  We don't require a court to confirm laws have been violated, nor do we need legal validations to recognize that the community's trust in our local officials has also been shattered.  

You have taken a stand for what is just.  

Victory in individual battles may elude us for now, but triumph in achieving our overall goals is what truly counts.

Stay involved and keep fighting.

~The STR Fellowship of Santa Fe