Quality of life is a reflection of general well-being and the degree to which community members are healthy, comfortable, welcomed, included, and able to enjoy the activities of daily living. Visit the Quality of Life dashboard to view the performance metrics for each of the County's objectives to meet the Council-adopted priorities.
Health, Wellbeing, and Social Services
Significant strides were made to improve access to behavioral, mental, physical health, and social services in the region. The Comprehensive Health Plan (CHP) was a key achievement, presented to the Health Council in February 2024 and the County Council in March 2024, and officially approved on December 17, 2024. Short-term actions and a community-wide survey were initiated, reflecting strong community engagement.
A closed-loop referral system for social services was fully implemented by May 2024 after thorough research, vendor selection, and provider training. The FY25 budget for social service contracts was set at $2.94 million, supporting diverse health and social needs. ARPA funds distribution continued, with $247,000 allocated for individual assistance and the remaining $2 million balance issued to qualifying businesses.
Efforts to establish a Social Services Hub are underway as part of CHP recommendations, with a construction bid award anticipated in late 2025. Programs like Hawk Hangouts and Youth Activity Centers successfully engaged middle and high school students, with attendance tracking under review. Finally, a collaborative plan for opioid settlement funds is nearing finalization, with updates shared at September 2024 meetings.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
In alignment with the County Council's goal to promote diversity, equity, and inclusivity, Los Alamos County made significant progress in several key areas throughout the year. The Inclusivity Task Force was established with a one-year charter and seven appointed members, holding its first meeting in October and convening three times since to evaluate and recommend DEI-related education programs in collaboration with Los Alamos Public Schools. Efforts to improve accessibility under the ADA included advancing designs for the 37th Street playlot, Piňon Park playlot, East Park basketball court, and North Mesa tennis court, while construction began on the ADA-accessible Kinnikinnick Park trail, creating a 0.4-mile nature path for those with mobility challenges. Renovations and new construction projects continued to incorporate ADA guidelines, with progress documented for community feedback and reporting.
To support organizational learning, the County renewed its membership in the Governmental Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), leveraging resources and programs to advance DEI objectives. Staff training on topics such as "Transgender Cultural Fluency" and "Working with Our Pueblo Neighbors" was also implemented, with participation tracked to measure impact. The National Community Survey revealed that 63% of residents rated Los Alamos County as a welcoming community, a slight decrease from 65% in 2022, which remained consistent with national benchmarks. In efforts to enhance accessibility for Council meetings, staff worked with Granicus, the County's streaming vendor, to explore closed captioning solutions. Although no practical options were available through the vendor, alternative approaches are actively being researched to meet this goal. Collectively, these initiatives underscore the County’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and accessible community.
Mobility
Survey respondents in the 2024 National Community Survey, ranked mobility in the county as high (specifically 73% saying it was excellent or good). This was higher than the national average. In 2024, we continued to make strides toward improving transportation options and accessibility. Atomic City Transit (ACT) advanced its Transit Master Plan by preparing to implement Microtransit, following the Council's approval of the software agreement in December 2024. This system aims to integrate paratransit with fixed-route services for greater efficiency. However, staffing shortages remain a critical challenge, limiting the ability to deliver full services and expand offerings such as weekend transit. Despite these hurdles, ACT has prioritized recruitment to restore service levels and explore new initiatives.
Transit ridership in 2024, has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, with fixed-route ridership down 36% compared to 2019, largely impacted by driver shortages and a delayed start to the Bandelier route. Despite these challenges, express route ridership has shown gradual improvement. Total ridership across fixed routes and specialized services, including Dial-A-Ride and ACT Assist, reached over 170,000 trips by the end of 2024.
Efforts to expand transit services include a feasibility study for transit hubs in Los Alamos and White Rock, with input from regional partners and a public input session held in May 2024. The final report, scheduled for fall 2025, will assess options for connecting bus lines, park-and-ride facilities, and potential mixed-use developments. Additionally, the Urban Trail Phases I and II, a 10-foot-wide concrete multi-use trail, is nearing completion, linking Trinity Drive to Canyon Road. Progress on the Canyon Rim Trail Phase III continues, with designs finalized and construction set to commence soon.
The County also integrated "complete street" concepts into roadway design projects, ensuring pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is incorporated into planning and implementation. Projects like the Urban Trail, Bathtub Row improvements, and connector nodes to natural paths enhance accessibility and mobility. These initiatives included ADA-compliant upgrades, drainage improvements, and multi-use trail developments to connect neighborhoods and public spaces.
Collectively, these projects reflect the County’s commitment to expanding multi-modal transportation options, addressing accessibility challenges, and fostering sustainable and inclusive mobility solutions.
Educational, Historical, and Cultural Amenities
Los Alamos County achieved notable progress in promoting educational and cultural initiatives while preserving its historical and archaeological assets. Renovation of the Women’s Dormitory building, a key component of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, reached 60% design completion. Collaborative efforts involving facility staff, the Community Services Department, the County Manager’s Office, and the National Park Service ensured steady progress, with planning applications approved by the County Council in December 2024. The project is on track to go out for bid in mid-2025. Additionally, the County acquired the historic Baker House within the Fuller Lodge National Historic Landmark District, laying the groundwork for future public access and incorporation into the Historic Properties Master Plan.
The County libraries maintained their role as cultural and educational hubs by offering a wide array of literacy, arts, and cultural programs. From October 2023 to September 2024, the libraries hosted 801 programs, engaging 19,236 attendees of all ages. Events included story times, book discussions, and the third annual Atomicon, which drew 800 participants. Library partnerships with schools enriched educational opportunities, highlighted by an eclipse viewing event that attracted 1,800 attendees, and after-school activities such as Hawk Hangout and Senior Appreciation Night. These efforts reflect the libraries' commitment to fostering community engagement and lifelong learning.
Historic preservation efforts advanced significantly in 2024 with updates to the County’s Historical Walking Tour. A total of 22 new signs replaced the original 12, with most installations completed by year-end. Plans are underway to include an audio guide to enhance accessibility and meet ADA requirements. These updates aim to make the walking tours more engaging and educational for residents and visitors alike.
These initiatives underscore the County’s dedication to preserving its rich history, fostering educational partnerships, and providing diverse cultural opportunities for the community.
Open Space, Parks, and Recreation
Los Alamos County made significant progress in managing open spaces and enhancing parks and recreation facilities in 2024. The Open Space and Trails Needs Assessment, led by Sites Southwest, advanced with multiple community engagement sessions and volunteer trail projects from April to October 2024. This effort aims to consolidate seven existing plans into a single comprehensive management strategy, ensuring sustainable stewardship of the County's open spaces and trails.
The Community Services Department (CSD) achieved a major milestone by earning accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) in October 2024. This recognition places Los Alamos County among 206 accredited agencies nationwide and marks it as the first in New Mexico to achieve this distinction, showcasing a commitment to industry best practices.
Efforts to address deferred park maintenance backlog included completing several projects, such as tennis and pickleball court renovations, which were finalized in the summer of 2023. Progress was also made on numerous capital improvement projects. The Golf Course improvement project began in January 2024, while the Ice Rink operated with a temporary chiller as plans for a permanent solution were evaluated. Renovation discussions commenced for the Olympic pool, which has exceeded its life expectancy, and work continued on upgrades to the Piňon Park playground, White Rock Skate Park, 34th Street Playground, and athletic fields.
These accomplishments reflect the County’s dedication to maintaining high-quality recreational spaces and amenities while planning strategically for the future needs of its residents.
Public Safety
Los Alamos County continued its strong focus on community safety in 2024 by maintaining low crime rates and effective crime prevention measures. The Police Department completed and submitted National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) reports to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NM DPS) and the FBI. Monthly crime reports were also submitted to the Department of Justice through NM DPS.
The Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) sustained its high performance in meeting response time goals, achieving success in 90% of incidents. Adopting a methodology of continuous improvement, the department consistently sought strategies to enhance response times. Public safety education remained a priority, with the LAFD hosting events such as Wildfire Day and Firefighter for a Day, along with outreach efforts at Los Alamos Public Schools. During October, the department participated in National Fire Prevention Month by distributing educational materials and safety tips at community events.
While updates on emergency response plans and exercises were not provided this year, the County’s commitment to proactive fire prevention and crime reporting has contributed to maintaining a safe and resilient community. Ongoing efforts in public education and service delivery continue to enhance preparedness and mitigate risks, ensuring the well-being of Los Alamos County residents.