Mayor of Raton

Mayor Jesse James Johnson

Contact

Email: jjohnson@cityofraton.com

Phone: (575) 445-9551

Fax: (575) 445-3398

Greetings,

Welcome to the City of Raton's Website. 

Raton was incorporated in 1891, but our history began much earlier than that.  It was truly a historic event when General Steven B. Kearney and his troops crossed over Raton Pass into what eventually became Raton.  Raton was founded based on its vast coal reserves and the AT&SF Railroad that provided transportation of that resource. 

Moving ahead more than a century, today Raton is a City that is proud of its many diversified components that include a new modern hospital staffed with qualified medical personnel; a long-term medical facility providing care for retired miners; and Raton Nursing and Rehab facility.   Raton also has an education system that is second-to-none.  A branch of New Mexico Highlands University and the High Plains Regional Educational Cooperative both offer our citizens wonderful opportunities to continue their education.  The local airport is an award winning facility that is well-managed and modern.  We boast of many excellent retail offerings which include fine restaurants, many local and tourist amenities.  Others contributing to our economy are a research and development company that is internationally known and respected; three hollow metal manufacturing plants, and a coal bed methane gas operation.  The local post and pole operation and plant for making wood stove pellets also contribute to making our surrounding forests safer from devastating fires due to well-managed thinking.  Raton has an ecosystem that is home to many species of wildlife and an unequaled state park.  I would be remiss if I did not mention the NRA Whittington Center, the finest shooting facility in North America.  Soon to come is a Horse Racing Track and Casino that will provide the impetus for our future growth and rejuvenation of our commercial and residential growth. 

I am a lifelong resident of Raton, and it has been my extreme privilege and honor to serve as Mayor of our fine City from 1994 until 2000, and again from 2004 to the present.  In that regard, I extend a hearfelt invitation to visit Raton for a day, a week, or a lifetime.