Mission and History​​

 

 

Organized as a New Mexico non-profit corporation in 1967 and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt, social welfare organization, the Sandoval County Sheriff's Posse is dedicated to preserving rural culture and providing support to the families and communities living in north central and northwest New Mexico.  For decades at Thanksgiving, the Posse has coordinated with Sandoval County schools to make sure that families in need have turkeys and pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving dinner.  And, at Easter, we hold an Easter egg hunt that’s open to Sandoval County youth of all ages, followed by a free Easter lunch in the Posse event hall for the participants and their families; last year, we served lunch to more than 150 people, gave out 30 Easter baskets to the children participating in our Easter basket lottery, and had more than 200 youth hunting for Easter eggs on our rodeo grounds. Already in 2025, we held a community dinner with live music, raffles, and a silent auction to raise money for a baby box at the Town of Bernalillo Fire Department. The event drew more than 130 people and raised more than $7000.

 

The Posse has viewed rodeo as an important part of our community and cultural heritage since it organized its first one in 1970; this year, it will produce its 55th. The annual rodeo is the Posse’s premier family-friendly event, typically drawing more than 1,000 spectators and nearly 200 contestants on each night of rodeo weekend. It provides not only a weekend of affordable entertainment, but also generates critical funds for the Posse’s community service work.

 

As the Posse continues to improve its rodeo grounds, it plans to revitalize a variety of youth and adult activities; including horsemanship and stockmanship clinics, a youth rodeo series, and ultimately 4H to provide those in increasingly urbanized areas with the opportunity to experience rural culture and learn new skills.​