City/Community News


City/Community News  is a community service feature of our OGNA website.  We will post timely news and information here to keep residents informed and promote activities in the greater Albuquerque community.

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Curbside Green Waste Collection is coming up soon!

Mark your calendars, from December 1–12,  City of Albuquerque residents will have two opportunities to set out their green waste for curbside pickup. Now’s the time to get out in your yard, rake up those leaves, and gather your grass clippings, weeds, and branches.

🌿  You’ll have two collection chances during the first two weeks of December. ️ Be sure to follow the green waste guidelines below so your materials can be collected — and remember, green waste should never go in your recycling cart!

For full details on what’s accepted and how to prepare your waste, visit https://www.cabq.gov/solidwaste/green-waste

Green Waste Collection Event Tips

During collection events, please follow these guidelines:

  • Green Waste must be 5 feet away from trash/recycling containers.
  • Green Waste including leaves, grass, and brush must be placed in trash bags.
  • Trash bags must not weigh more than 40 lbs.
  • Cut branches to four-foot lengths and bundle them securely.
  • Dirt, debris, gravel, construction material or tree stumps will not be picked up.
  • Do not place green waste in your recycling cart.

Thank you!

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Local Elections Matter 

Our elected officials make decisions that affect our lives every single day. Sometimes these elections are won by only 100 or two hundred votes.

Important Dates for the City of Albuquerque Mayoral Runoff Election between Tim Keller and Darren White

A runoff election is held between the two candidates who received the most votes during the regular election, ensuring the winner has a 50% majority rather than just the highest percentage in a crowded field.

  • Runoff Election Day: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025
  • Early Voting: December 1-6, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at early voting convenience centers across Albuquerque.
  • Absentee Ballots: Applications accepted through Nov. 25; mailing begins Nov. 18.

Visit the Bernalillo County Clerk’s online election guide and find out key dates, voting locations, how to request an absentee ballot, and much more. Visit: https://www.berncoclerk.gov/elections/ for more information.

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Great Natural Areas in/around Albuquerque to Visit This Fall for Respite and Inspiration

We have great local natural areas including Bachechi Open Space, Rio Grande Nature Center, Paseo del Bosque Trail and many more.  Check them out at:  https://www.505outside.com/2025/09/30/greatnaturalareasfall/

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State Parks Offering Free Day-Use Access to New Mexico Residents


Starting October 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025 New Mexico residents can take advantage of free day-use access at most state parks by showing their valid NM identification. Day-use entry fees are waived. Residents can also enjoy increased stay limits for camping, up to 14 consecutive days. Please note this does not apply to parking at the Rio Grande Nature Center. For more information, visit: https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/

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Our City Councilor — Dan Champine

City Councilor Dan Champine represents District 8, Albuquerque’s Far Northeast Heights and Foothills (includes the Oso Grande area) and was elected to the City Council in 2023.

Need help?  Contact Councilor Champine.  Send us an online request or call his office at 505-768-3100.

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City of Albuquerque Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) Update 2025 – Proposed Changes

All proposed changes are posted on the project webpage here: https://abq-zone.com/ido-updates-2025

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The 311 Community Contact Center provides our community with speedy and easy access to City of Albuquerque information and services with exceptional customer care.  City agents answer your questions and respond to your requests for service from any department or division at the City.  Typical city related issues include:  non-functioning Traffic signs and lights, abandoned vehicles, l

Click here for more information    https://www.cabq.gov/311/abq311/

For 311 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) :  https://www.cabq.gov/municipaldevelopment/frequently-asked-questions

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Your Questions Answered:  Installation and Expansion of Fiber Optic Cable in Albuquerque

OGNA is aware of the installation of fiber optic cable that is going on in our Oso Grande area and all across the City.  There are actually 3 different fiber companies that will be installing fiber cables:  Ezee, Vexus and Gigapower.  Each of these fiber optic companies have already received right of way permits and permission to install fiber optic cable in the right of way across private properties from the City Planning Dept and City Broadband Office.  The City owns/oversees all right of ways within the City limits, so you as a homeowner are not able to refuse the installation of fiber optic cable across your property – even if you choose not to use the internet and fiber optic services/products.  As an example, Comcast Cable TV, CenturyLink, etc. have right of way permits and installed cable for TV and Internet access in most neighborhoods many years ago.

Right-of-way work to install fiber optic cable can occur along roads, sidewalks, property lines, and telephone poles. Each of the 3 fiber companies are required to notify residents in advance of construction via street signage and/or door flyers.     Please be assured that these companies are responsible for completing the work and required by the City to restore any impacted areas to their original condition.  

Additionally be assured that the City’s Broadband Office is coordinating and meeting on a regular basis with all 3 ISPs to ensure the installation is as smooth a process as possible.  For more information, see this info page.

https://www.cabq.gov/technology-innovation/broadband-office/high-speed-fiber

The City of Albuquerque has also recently implemented new rules for construction of fiber internet infrastructurehttps://www.cabq.gov/clerk/news/notice-of-final-rulemaking-regulations-governing-public-right-of-way-excavation-and-barricading-for-fiber-infrastructure-purposes

Completed, current, and future construction locations can be found on this map https://www.cabq.gov/municipaldevelopment/maps/traffic-report#fiber-company-public-right-of-way-permit-map

For questions or concerns regarding construction, contact the internet service provider/company directly using the phone number that is on the notification you received to ensure personalized service from the provider working in your area.

Ezee Fiber 505-539-4848  support.nm@ezeefiber.com
Gigapower 505-420-5195  contactus@circetusa.com
Vexus Fiber 844-512-5022

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Senior Services Information

Bear Canyon Senior Center, 4645 Pitt NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111 :  https://www.cabq.gov/seniors/senior-multigenerational-centers/bear-canyon-senior-center

Center Activities List  Fall 2025 

Free Senior Lunch Options:    The City of Albuquerque Dept of Senior Affairs continues to serve Senior lunches for persons 60 yrs and older. Lunches are distributed between 11:30 am – 1 pm, Monday – Friday and are available at local Senior and Multigenerational Centers — including Bear Canyon Sr Center.  Seniors must make reservations for their free lunch with the Senior Center 24 hours in advance.  Contact https://www.cabq.gov/seniors/senior-services/senior-meals.

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505 Outside Water Authority Newsletter

These warm days have us dreaming about our spring gardens. Did you know we will give you $3 for every square foot of grass you remove and replace with desert friendly landscape? Perhaps this is the year you refresh your yard! We’re here to help and we’re sharing a fun landscape design template you can use to get started.  The official start of spring is later this month. Prep now by clearing up around the plants you tucked in for the winter, aerating your lawns, and cleaning up your outdoor living spaces. Then after the last chance of freezing temperatures has passed (typically late March), it’s time to turn on your irrigation system.

Learn how here: https://www.505outside.com/2019/03/05/spring-irrigation-startup/
Monthly Service Tips and Watering Recommendations
By following the Water Authority’s helpful tips, you can keep your water use down, your irrigation system running smoothly and your landscape looking great. https://www.505outside.com/

Spring Landscape Cleanup:  https://www.505outside.com/2019/03/05/spring-landscape-cleanup/

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Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Dept

If you or someone you know needs help with a behavioral health crisis, call 9-1-1 for an ACS response.

ACS Second Anniversary Report      https://www.cabq.gov/mayor/documents/redefining-public-safety_acs-2-year-anniversary.pdf

The mission of ACS is to  provide Albuquerque with a holistic, empathetic, and informed response to behavioral and mental health-related 911 calls. Responses are personalized to the needs of the individual, family, and community so that ACS can bring the right response at the right time.  ACS allows 911 dispatch to send trained professionals with backgrounds in behavioral and mental health and social services to non-violent and non-medical calls.

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Apply to Serve on a CABQ Board or Commission

If you are interested in serving on a City of Albuquerque Board or Commission, apply via the online application. The application works for all boards and commissions and will remain active for one calendar year from the date submitted.  For a list of opportunities see: https://www.cabq.gov/clerk/boards-commissions

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City of Albuquerque Comprehensive Plan Update:

The City of Albuquerque committed to updating the Comprehensive Plan to bring in current data, policies and actions that have been created since 2017. The 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update will take place on January 18, 2024 @ 8:40am via Zoom: https://cabq.zoom.us/j/2269592859 The Agenda/meeting materials can be found at http://www.cabq.gov/planning/boards-commissions To contact staff, email devhelp@cabq.gov or call the Planning Department at 505-924-3860. For more information about the project: https://compplan.abq-zone.com/comp-plan-update-2023

Newsletter: Comp Plan Update, Central ABQ CPA Assessment & NW Mesa Escarpment VPO @ EPC (mailchi.mp)

The Oso Grande area is in the Foothills Community Planning Assessment area that is scheduled to begin March 2026.

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