MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
CITY OF CARLSBAD September 2026
Carlsbad, where adventure runs deep.”
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
TABLE OF CONTENTS Connect with Us
03
Message from the Mayor
06
Employee Polls
10
Pets of the Month
14
September Events
15
Cavern Theatre Hours
18
WELCOME!
Word Search
22
Carlsbad, with a full calendar of events, important city
Public Notices
24
Holiday Closures
28
City Council
30
Frequently Used Numbers
31
September brings a busy start to the fall season in updates
and
plenty
happening
throughout
our
community. As summer winds down, the City is moving into a new season with several upcoming activities, projects and announcements to share. In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find information on September
events,
City
programs
and
services,
community updates and a look at what is coming up in the weeks ahead. There is a lot happening across Carlsbad as we head into fall, and we’re pleased to share the latest with you. www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
CONNECT WITH US! Instagram: @keep.carlsbad.beautiful Facebook: @cityofcarlsbadnmgovernment @keepcarlsbadbeautiful Indeed: @CityofCarlsbadNM Past Event Photos
LinkedIn: @CityofCarlsbadNMTourism
Did you get snapped at our latest events? Check check our social media to see if you were snapped!
YouTube: @explorecarlsbadnm2316 Check out our tourism page!
Scan here! www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
Dear Neighbors & Friends: With the school year now well underway, it has been great to see the energy and school spirit surrounding Carlsbad High School athletics. We are especially excited to celebrate the Carlsbad Cavemen’s 20–13 victory over Artesia in the first game of the season during the 2026 Eddy County War Opener. Congratulations to the Cavemen on a great start to the season, and best of luck to all of our Cavegirl and Cavemen athletes as they continue their seasons. I encourage our community to come out, fill the stands, and support our students as they represent Carlsbad. The City is also continuing work on improvements throughout our community. One recent improvement is the new turning lane at Wood Street and San Jose Boulevard, which will help improve traffic movement in the area. These projects are part of our ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and make investments that benefit residents and visitors. I also want to remind residents about the importance of keeping our yards and properties clean and maintained. Following recent rainfall, weeds have grown quickly throughout Carlsbad, and the City’s Code Enforcement and Fire Departments are working together on the Weed Blitz campaign. Overgrown weeds and vegetation can become a fire and safety hazard, especially as they dry out. Property owners are responsible for maintaining vegetation on their property, including parkways and alleys adjacent to their property. Residents can report weed concerns through the City’s 311 system. Keeping our yards maintained and helping control litter throughout our neighborhoods are simple ways we can all contribute to a cleaner and safer Carlsbad. Another opportunity to help keep our community clean is Household Hazardous Waste Day on
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
Saturday, September 19, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Recreation Center parking lot, 400 Riverwalk Drive. This event is for Carlsbad residents and provides an opportunity to properly dispose of items such as fluorescent light bulbs, fertilizers, paint thinner, gasoline, batteries, oil, pesticides, e-waste, antifreeze, cleaning products, and tires. The event will also offer a confidential prescription take-back. There is a maximum of 10 tires per vehicle, and no commercial waste will be accepted. As we look ahead to October, we are preparing for the 2026 Carlsbad Mayor’s Energy Summit on October 22. This year’s theme, “From the Basin to the Nation,” reflects the important role Carlsbad and the Permian Basin play in our state, our nation, and our energy future. The Summit brings together community leaders, industry representatives, and others to highlight the work being done in our region and its impact far beyond our community. An important part of this year’s Summit is the Spirit of the Workforce 2026 recognition, which honors the people who help power our community and our future. Nominations are now open for a hardworking man or woman who deserves recognition for their dedication and contributions. This is an opportunity to highlight the individuals whose commitment and work make a difference in our community every day. Nominations are due
October
2,
2026,
and
residents
can
visit
carlsbadenergysummit.com to submit a nomination.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Richard Lopez Email: mayor.office@cityofcarlsbadnm.com Phone: (575) 887-1191 www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
SEPTEMBER EMPLOYEE POLLS Would you rather have a private chef or a private driver?
What are you most looking forward to this fall?
Would you rather have fall or summer weather all year long?
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
What tiny inconvenience bothers you the most?
Would you rather never have to wait in a line or never sit in traffic again?
How many tabs are usually open on your computer?
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
Pets of the Month
Meet the adorable pets of our City of Carlsbad employees!
Name: Tillie Pawrent: Jayden Whitzel This is my furbaby, Tillie. She is a corgi. She loves naps and Hot Cheetos!
Name: Yuki Pawrent: Laura Flores Loves blankets, his babies & cuddles.
Name: Charlie (Charleston) Pawrent: Taelyn Vasquez He loves to play with every animal! He is very loving and enjoys playing with all kinds of toys; his favorite is his bear. He also loves rocking his cute outfits while eating a pup cup.
Name: River Pawrent: Kyle Boatman From couch potato to quail-hunting psychopath in 0.2 seconds.
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
SEPTEMBER EVENTS AND DATES
Thurs. Sept. 10:
All Month Long:
65th Annual Potash Open
VFW Essay Competition
Fri. Sept. 11:
Deadline VFW Patriots Pen
September Blood Drives
CASA Drive & Thrive
Vitalant Sat. Sept. 12:
Fri. Sept. 4: Sammie Hughes Cowboy
Grand Open House –
Camp
Graceland Portables September Blood Drives
Sat. Sept. 5: Sammie Hughes Cowboy
Vitalant
Camp
Carlsbad Public Library
Sun. Sept. 6:
Caffeine & Cultivation Mon. Sept. 14:
Sammie Hughes Cowboy
HSI Week – Movie Night
Camp
Tues. Sept. 15:
Mon. Sept. 7:
Sugar Skull Paint Party
Labor Day
Wed. Sept. 16:
Wed. Sept. 9: Carlsbad Public Library
September Blood Drives
LEGO Time
Vitalant
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
HSI Week Trivia Night &
Fri. Sept. 25:
Loteria
5th Annual Cavern City
Carlsbad Public Library
Renaissance Festival
LEGO Time
Carlsbad Public Library
Carlsbad Public Library Brews
Storytime at the Living Desert
& Books
Sat. Sept. 26:
Thurs. Sept. 17:
5th Annual Cavern City
Southeast New Mexico HSI
Renaissance Festival
Talent Show
September Blood Drives
Sat. Sept. 19:
Vitalant
Household Hazardous Waste
SENMC STEM Fun Day
Day
Carlsbad Public Library STEM
Tues. Sept. 22:
Club
September Blood Drives
Tues. Sept. 29:
Vitalant
September Blood Drives
Wed. Sept. 23:
Vitalant
PAD and AFIB Awareness
Wed. Sept. 30:
Luncheon
Carlsbad Public Library
Carlsbad Public Library
LEGO Time
LEGO Time www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
For more information, visit the official City Events Calendar.
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
SEPTEMBER WORD SEARCH
Autumn Football Cavemen
Greenchile Enchilada Renaissance
Volunteer Council Septembeer Fest Cavern Theatre Zia Farmers Market
Coyote Homecoming Labor Day
See page 31 for answer key.
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
PUBLIC NOTICES
Lower Tansill Dog Park Closure: The City of Carlsbad would like to inform residents that the Lower Tansill Dog Park will be closed beginning September 8, 2026, through November 2026, or until further notice, due to construction improvements and upgrades. The improvements will include: New benches Dog agility equipment Water fountains for both owners and dogs Additional waste stations New shade structures Sodding of the park area These upgrades are intended to enhance the park experience for both residents and their four-legged companions. We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding while these improvements are completed. Please plan accordingly and use alternative areas for exercising and walking your dogs during the closure.
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
UPCOMING HOLIDAY CLOSURES FOR 2026 Labor Day: Monday, September 7, 2026 Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11, 2026 Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26, 2026 Day after Thanksgiving: Friday, November 27, 2026 Christmas Eve: Thursday, December 24, 2026 Christmas Day: Friday, December 25, 2026 New Year’s Day: Friday, January 1, 2027
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
CITY COUNCIL Richard Lopez, Mayor mayor.office@cityofcarlsbadnm.com District 1 Edward Rodriguez | etrodriguez@cityofcarlsbadnm.com Lisa Anaya-Flores | laflores@cityofcarlsbadnm.com District 2 JJ Chavez | jochavez@cityofcarlsbadnm.com Jeff Forrest | jjforrest@cityofcarlsbadnm.com District 3 Karla Hamel Niemeier | kjniemeier@cityofcarlsbadnm.com Mary Garwood | msgarwood@cityofcarlsbadnm.com District 4 Anthony Foreman | arforeman@cityofcarlsbadnm.com Mark Walterscheid | mewalterscheid@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
CITY ADMINISTRATION Wendy Austin, City Manager wdaustin@cityofcarlsbadnm.com Ken Ahrens, Deputy City Manager ksahrens@cityofcarlsbadnm.com KC Cass, Chief Operating Officer kccass@cityofcarlsbadnm.com www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
FREQUENTLY USED NUMBERS City Switchboard:
575.887.1191
Utility Billing:
575.887.1191
Code Enforcement:
575.885.1185
Municipal Court:
575.885.3363
Solid Waste:
575.885.0042
Water Maintenance:
575.885.6313
Non-emergency Fire & Police Police Dispatch:
575.885.2111
Fire Dispatch:
575.885.3125 For emergencies please call 911.
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
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101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
101 N. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad NM