Local News in Raton, Colfax County, and Northern New Mexico
The Raton Range is your source for local news in Raton, Colfax County, and northern New Mexico. We cover the stories that matter most to our communities, including local government, schools, business, sports, culture, economic development, and community events.
Located at the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, Raton is a community with deep roots, strong values, and a rich history. The Raton Range is committed to serving readers across the region with reliable local journalism that informs, connects, and reflects the people of northeastern New Mexico.
Trusted Local Journalism for the Raton Region
Local journalism plays an essential role in small communities. In Raton and throughout Colfax County, access to accurate local news helps residents stay informed about public meetings, school updates, local businesses, regional development, and the issues shaping everyday life.
The Raton Range highlights the voices, history, and progress of the region. From city government and public policy to high school sports and community stories, we provide local coverage that keeps readers connected to what is happening in Raton and the surrounding areas.
Covering the Stories That Matter in Colfax County
We report on a wide range of topics important to readers in Raton, Colfax County, and northern New Mexico, including:
• Raton local government news
• Colfax County community news
• School and education updates
• Local business and economic development
• High school sports coverage
• Arts, culture, and regional events
• Stories about the people and history of the region
News That Serves the Community
The Raton Range exists to serve the people of this region by providing clear, relevant, and dependable local reporting. Our goal is to preserve the stories of our area, celebrate the people who make it special, and deliver meaningful news coverage for Raton, New Mexico, and the surrounding communities.
About the Editor
Roger Rael is a journalist, media professional, political consultant, and community advocate based in the Raton Pass region of northern New Mexico. With a career spanning broadcast media, journalism, political communications, and grassroots advocacy, Rael has built a reputation for combining media expertise with a deep commitment to civic engagement and rural community development across New Mexico and southern Colorado.
Rael began his professional career in broadcast media, working in television and radio production throughout New Mexico. He served as Production Manager for Telemundo New Mexico, overseeing studio operations and broadcast production. He also worked as an audio engineer with KZRR 94 Rock, one of Albuquerque’s leading radio stations, gaining extensive experience in live broadcasting, sound engineering, and media production.
His television experience includes work with KOB-TV Channel 4 in Albuquerque, one of New Mexico’s major news stations. In addition to staff roles, Rael has worked freelance in several major television markets, contributing production, engineering, and media support for broadcast operations and special programming.
In addition to his media work, Rael has been active in political communications and consulting. Through his firm 1 Stop : Straight to the Point Marketing, Advertising, and Consulting, he has assisted successful campaigns for mayoral, state legislative, and other public offices, helping candidates develop messaging strategies, public outreach, and campaign communications.
Rael is also the editor and driving force behind the revival of The Raton Range, a historic regional newspaper that served Raton and Colfax County for decades. After the publication went dormant, Rael stepped forward to relaunch the paper as a modern digital news platform dedicated to restoring local journalism, promoting transparency in government, and reconnecting communities through open dialogue and reporting.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University–Pueblo and a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado–Denver, where he studied public policy, government, and political systems. His academic background continues to inform his work in journalism, civic engagement, and policy discussion.
Outside of his professional work, Rael is known for his strong commitment to community service. He is passionate about animal welfare and rescue efforts, often supporting adoption campaigns and animal advocacy initiatives. He also has a long-standing interest in the transportation and logistics industry, particularly the infrastructure and systems that connect communities and support regional economic development.
Through journalism, media production, political consulting, and community activism, Roger Rael continues to advocate for transparent government, strong local journalism, and the vitality of rural communities throughout the Raton Pass region and beyond.
