Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull delivered his 12th and final State of the City address in December, outlining significant infrastructure improvements and economic growth while proposing new bond measures for roads, public safety and quality of life projects.
Hull, who will not seek reelection as he runs for governor, told the City Council that Rio Rancho has invested between $6 billion and $7 billion in private development over the past decade, transforming the community from a bedroom suburb into New Mexico’s second-largest city with a population of approximately 118,000.
“Rio Rancho is a highly desirable community,” Hull said, noting the city has captured 47.2% of new home construction in the combined Albuquerque-Santa Fe market in 2025, up from 40.7% in 2021.
The city has completed 48 major road projects since 2016, with five more started or completed in 2025. Hull said road bonds have consistently received voter approval ratings above 70%, with support reaching 78% after initial projects were completed.
In a biannual citizen survey, 97% of Rio Rancho residents reported feeling safe in their community during the day — a stark contrast to New Mexico’s overall public safety rankings.
“New Mexico doesn’t rank real high when it comes to public safety, but Rio Rancho shines as a beacon,” Hull said.
The city’s median household income has grown from approximately $55,000 in 2014 to more than $85,000 currently, according to Hull.
Major private investments include Comcast’s $150 million fiber optic expansion and a competing Ezee Fiber network buildout. Hull said the dual infrastructure projects will give Rio Rancho more internet options than any other New Mexico city.
Professional hockey will return to Rio Rancho with the Goat Heads franchise moving to the Rio Rancho Event Center. The city previously hosted the New Mexico Scorpions when the population was approximately 60,000.
Hull announced plans for Fire Station 8 at the corner of Cabazon Boulevard and 19th Avenue, designed to serve the growing southern Rio Rancho area while maintaining the city’s ISO rating of 2, placing it in the top 7% of U.S. fire departments.
The city has maintained reserves above 25% — significantly higher than state minimums — allowing Rio Rancho to secure upgraded credit ratings from Moody’s. The general obligation bond rating improved from A2 to A1, while the water and wastewater utility rating rose to AA from AA-.
“It’s like going to Credit Karma and seeing that you went from a 700 to a 750,” Hull said. “But in this particular case, I rate it in the 800 range.”
Upcoming road bond projects include Baltic Avenue, Springer Drive, Ridgecrest Drive and Honduras. A $32 million project will widen Unser Boulevard from Cherry to Paseo, creating four lanes from the city limits to King Boulevard.
Hull emphasized that water and wastewater infrastructure have been replaced proactively under every major road reconstruction project, though he acknowledged replacing all city water lines would cost approximately $1.5 billion — far beyond available resources.
The city completed Campus Park Phase 2 and expanded the Broadmoor Senior Center, with both projects paid in cash without issuing debt.
Voters will consider bond measures for roads, public safety equipment and quality of life improvements in the March municipal election.