Delineation of Roles
The Village of Angel Fire (“Village”) was established in 1967 and incorporated as a New Mexico Municipality in 1986. The Village is independently governed by a Mayor and Village Council elected by residents of Angel Fire. In 1996, the Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (“Bankruptcy Plan”) mandated the creation of the Association of Angel Fire Property Owners (“AAFPO”), which was officially formed as a non-profit New Mexico Corporation in 1996. Angel Fire Resort (“Resort”) was originally established in 1965, and emerged from the bankruptcy under its current ownership in 1996. Together, these three entities work together to make Angel Fire the wonderful place it is to live and vacation.
Understanding the duties and responsibilities of the Village, Resort and AAFPO can be challenging. To assist in this, we are providing an overview of the responsibilities of each entity. While it is important to note that each entity bears multiple and diverse obligations, not all of which are listed here, our aim is to provide a clearer understanding of their roles. This should guide you in directing your questions and offering your assistance where it’s most needed.
The collaboration of these three entities is fundamental to the success and prosperity of the entire Angel Fire community.
Angel Fire Resort:
The Resort’s story began in the 1950s when the LeBus family from Wichita Falls, Texas, acquired 22,600 acres in the historic Moreno Valley. They laid Angel Fire’s foundation in 1954, leading to the Resort’s opening for skiing in the winter of 1966. The Baca Grande Corporation took over in 1972, enhancing the Resort by developing the Country Club facilities, expanding the ski area and snowmaking capabilities, and constructing numerous condominium projects. The design of Angel Fire, encompassing homes, the ski basin, country club, and other recreational facilities, was conceptualized as a common interest community focused on preserving the natural beauty of this historic land. Following a period of financial difficulty, which culminated in the bankruptcy of the Angel Fire Ski Corporation in 1995, the Resort found new life.
Today’s Resort, rejuvenated under the successful purchase of the assets from the Angel Fire Ski Corporation and related entities post-bankruptcy, is a vibrant, privately owned, for-profit New Mexico Limited Liability Company. It owns and operates the amenities that enhance our community, as outlined in the Bankruptcy Plan:
- The Angel Fire Golf Course;
- The Angel Fire Country Clubhouse (Pro Shop);
- Angel Fire Ski Mountain;
- Monte Verde Lake
- The Greenbelt Trails
- Angel Fire Olympic (playground, tennis courts and lake);
- Angel Fire Stables and Greenbelt areas
- RV Park
Central to the Resort’s duties and responsibilities, as delineated by the Bankruptcy Plan and pertinent to AAFPO membership, are the operation, maintenance, and improvement of these amenities. The Resort diligently collects annual assessments, ensuring these funds exclusively support the operations, upkeep and enhancement of the amenities. Each year, the Resort prepares an amenities budget for AAFPO’s review and comment, and provides the board financial transparency to guarantee the responsible use of membership dues.
Cooperation is key to the Resort’s approach. Working closely with AAFPO, it develops the rules and regulations for amenity usage, with the latest versions accessible on both the Resort’s (www.angelfireresort.com) and AAFPO’s (www.AAFPO.org) websites. The Resort engages with various AAFPO committees, such as budget, finance and amenities to address diverse amenity and membership-related matters.
The Resort is dedicated to member engagement, as evident in its comprehensive website section on membership (www.angelfireresort/membership.com) and the quarterly newsletter it distributes, offering updates on membership benefits and events. The membership office (575) 377-4260 is always available for inquiries.
Beyond the amenities listed and protected in the Bankruptcy Plan, the Resort operates a separate Real Estate and Timeshare Company, offering property management and real estate sales services. It also runs the Angel Fire Resort Lodge, RV Resort, numerous dining and lounge venues, rental shops, a ski school, spa, fitness center, swimming pool, and other retail shops. While these facilities are open to all members, they are separate and distinct from the Bankruptcy Plan-governed amenities. However, Platinum members enjoy discounts at most of these venues, and there are designated times for all member use of the Country Club fitness center and swimming pool. These venues are listed on the Resort’s website, where activities and events can also be found.
Central to the community, the Resort collaborates with the Village of Angel Fire and Colfax County on various development projects. One notable project involves partnering with Colfax County to secure a state grant for air service to and from the Angel Fire Airport.
As the largest employer in Colfax County, New Mexico, the Resort plays a vital role in the local economy, employing up to 600 people during the ski season and continually seeking opportunities to expand and improve its facilities for the betterment of Angel Fire and the wider region.
The AAFPO Board of Directors:
While the Resort owns and operates the amenities, members benefit from a negative easement on these amenities. This legal provision safeguards the amenities, ensuring they remain a permanent feature of the community. AAFPO is dedicated to maintaining this continuous access for members, ensuring they can fully enjoy the amenities they’ve come to enjoy. The Board of Directors, elected by members in good standing, is committed to this cause, striving to keep Angel Fire an attractive and enjoyable place to live and vacation.
The AAFPO Board of Directors is responsible for:
- The Duties and Responsibilities outlined in our amended bylaws posted on our website www.aafpo.org.
- Reviewing and working with the Resort on an annual budget for amenities.
- Designating projects for the improvements of the amenities with its discretionary money.
- Reviewing the Resort’s financial information to ensure the money collected in membership dues is spent on the operation, maintenance and improvement of the various amenities.
- Leading the Environmental and Architectural Control Committee (EACC) in supporting and enforcing the Covenants and Restrictions. This role encompasses the collection of permit fees and conducting inspections on construction projects to ensure compliance with the Village’s aesthetic standards (EACC guidelines). Additionally, the committee is responsible for providing disclosures to new home purchasers.
- Acting as a liaison and advocating for the members to the Resort.
- Reviewing and approving the AAFPO annual operating budget to assure it is in support of members’ interests.
- In cooperation with the Resort, defining the Membership Rules and Restrictions for use of the Amenities.
- Holding regular meetings to communicate with membership about members’ concerns, Membership events, AAFPO and Resort projects.
Meeting notices and general AAFPO Board of Director’s information can be found at www.aafpo.org.
Please submit questions for the Board of Directors to [email protected].
The Village of Angel Fire:
The Village of Angel Fire, a governmental entity, has a range of duties that include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assessing taxes, which encompass lodging taxes derived from accommodation receipts;
- Developing and maintaining roads, ensuring safe and efficient transportation infrastructure;
- Managing solid waste, including the provision of dumpsters, recycling services, and operation of transfer stations;
- Providing and maintaining essential water and sewer services to residences;
- Maintaining infrastructure (roads, water & sewer lines);
- Managing and staffing public services:
- Fire Department 911 or (575) 377-3347
- Police Department 911 or (575) 377-3214
- Public Works Department (575) 377-7004
- Parks, Recreation & Trails (575) 377-1544
- Motor Vehicle Department (575) 425-1028
- Municipal Court (575) 377-3800
- Planning and Zoning (575) 377-3232
- Visitor’s Center (575) 377-6555
- Finance Department (575) 377-3232
- Contract Management (575) 377-3232
- Community Center (575) 377-1544
The Village of Angel Fire offers a range of services, and information on council meetings is readily available on the Village’s website at www.angelfirenm.gov. This site is the prime resource for details on zoning, planning, and permitting processes. Additionally, residents can conveniently check and manage their utility bills online.
In a collaborative effort in 2007, AAFPO, the Village and the Resort established the Angel Fire Public Improvement District (“PID”) to enhance infrastructure across over 850 lots within Angel Fire. This PID operates as a political subdivision under the Village’s auspices but is governed independently by its own board of directors and administrator. Learn more about the PID, its projects, and initiatives at www.angelfirepid.com, or reach out directly with inquiries at (575) 377-3483.
The Village is actively engaged in community safety initiatives alongside the Resort and AAFPO, particularly in pursuing fire reduction grants, which are integral to the community’s safety and well-being.
For any inquiries or additional information, please contact the Village of Angel Fire at (575) 377-3232.