Trinidad drug seizures, dealership closure and Aguilar water woes

Las Animas County residents are dealing with a string of challenges that cut across public safety, local jobs and municipal services. Local law enforcement activity, the unexpected loss of a long-standing auto dealership, and ongoing water and financing problems in Aguilar were among the top stories compiled in a regional year-end roundup, underscoring pressures that will shape life in 2026.

Trinidad Police Department activity and narcotics enforcement figured prominently in that compilation. City leaders were briefed on large drug seizures and community concern about fentanyl and other illicit drugs has been growing. Those trends have driven heightened public-safety conversations at city council sessions as residents and officials grapple with enforcement, prevention and the resources needed to respond to addiction and street-level distribution.

The local economy absorbed a separate shock when the Phil Long Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership in Trinidad announced it would close. The closure, announced in May 2025, removes a significant employer and a sales tax generator from Main Street activity. Local business owners and city officials have expressed concern about the ripple effects on related services, from auto repair shops to daytime customer traffic that supports restaurants and retail. For a small city, the departure of a major dealership changes the commercial landscape and raises hard questions about economic development and property reuse.

In Aguilar, continuing water-supply challenges and municipal fiscal strain remained unresolved topics at board meetings last year. Local officials wrestled with shortages and the financing needed to maintain and upgrade water infrastructure. Those discussions pointed to potential rate increases, service priorities and the need to secure outside funding to prevent service interruptions. For Aguilar residents, water reliability and municipal solvency are immediate household and civic concerns.

County-level budget pressures and commission actions rounded out the regional issues. Decisions at the county commission about priorities and spending will influence how resources are deployed to policing, road maintenance and support for small towns facing infrastructure deficits. The combination of public-safety incidents, economic dislocations and municipal financing gaps forms a policy crossroad for county leaders and voters.

The takeaway? These are not isolated events. They intersect at downtown economies, public safety, and essential services. Attend your city or county meetings, watch commission agendas, and ask local officials how they plan to replace lost tax base, support law enforcement and shore up water systems. Our two cents? Civic engagement matters more than ever—show up, ask specific questions, and push for clear timelines so your community can move from crisis management to durable solutions.