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College District Bond approval would invest in UNM-Gallup

Categories: Students   Faculty   Staff   Community  

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McKinley County voters will be asked whether to approve up to $10 million in general obligation bonds during election

By Richard Reyes, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026

GALLUP, N.M. — McKinley County voters will have the opportunity to vote on funding for campus improvement projects at �鶹��Ƶ-Gallup via a College District Bond question during the 2026 General Election.

The UNM-Gallup Local Advisory Board will ask voters to decide on whether to approve up to $10 million in general obligation bonds for campus improvement projects this election. The initiative is known as the College District Bond and is one of UNM-Gallup’s only avenues for generating revenue for major renovations.

“Our potential projects include much needed renovations to our Physical Education Complex, accessibility solutions for our campus grounds, and upgrades to existing buildings to ensure their functionality and an increased life span,” UNM-Gallup Interim Chancellor John Zimmerman said. “The investment made through the College District Bond serves not only to enhance the student experience but allows for a more robust approach to community engagement and a safer campus for everyone who visits.”

If voters approve the initiative, the bonds would be sold over a period of time — not all at once — and the proceeds would be used to support construction and/or remodeling projects for outdated buildings and facilities at the branch campus.

Early in-person and absentee voting begin Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Expanded early voting is from Saturday, Oct. 17, through Saturday, Oct. 31.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

An economic multiplier for UNM-Gallup

Bond proceeds are used to leverage and maximize the impact of state taxpayer dollars. For example, $1 million in bond proceeds might be used to match up to $3 million in state appropriations from the New Mexico Legislature.

“The College District Bonds would allow us to leverage community investment with increased state funds to undertake a variety of projects,” Zimmerman said. “Through the sale of these bonds, we can turn a $1 million investment into a $4 million project. These projects would not be possible without community support, and UNM-Gallup is grateful that our neighbors have always been supportive of increased investment in educational endeavors. We strive to be responsible stewards of this public trust and are excited by the potential to offer new opportunities to our students, visitors and the wider Gallup community.”

The following are UNM-Gallup’s current priorities for the College District Bond proceeds:

• $1 million for the renovation of science classrooms and labs in the north wing of Calvin Hall Center and the renovation of the Calvin Hall Center auditorium. These funds would be paired with potential funding from General Obligation Bond 3.
• $4 million for the renovation of the Physical Education Complex and creation of a student life space inside the complex.
• $350,000 to repair the exterior stucco and roof of Gurley Hall in addition to the exterior stucco of Zollinger Library.
• $250,000 to improve the parking lot of the Facilities Management Department.
• $1 million to $2.5 million for accessibility improvements to exterior spaces on campus in compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

The state has the ultimate authority on which capital projects are approved. Proposed projects and costs may be subject to change over time.

Bond question(s) on the ballot

The College District Bond question will appear as follows on the ballot:

“Shall the Advisory Board of the University of New Mexico Gallup Branch Community College District, be authorized to issue up to $10,000,000 of general obligation bonds for the purpose of erecting, furnishing, constructing, purchasing, remodeling and equipping buildings and utility facilities, exclusive of stadiums; making other real property improvements; purchasing grounds; and purchasing and installing computer hardware and software; or any combination of these purposes?”

The College District Bond question is separate from the General Obligation Bond 3 question, which will also appear on voters’ ballots during the election.

The College District Bond is a local bond initiative that funds capital projects specifically for the UNM-Gallup branch campus. GO Bond 3 is a statewide bond initiative that supports higher education institutions around the entire state.

GO Bond 3 will not raise taxes, but the College District Bond is expected to increase residential and non-residential property taxes in McKinley County.