A New Chapter:
The Story Behind Our Move to Nambe
December 10, 2025​
For more than 30 years, Santa Fe Rafting thrived out of a little adobe building at 1000 Cerrillos Road—a humble,sun-baked shack that was the center of our operations and a witness to countless memories. Thousands of river runners checked in for their white water adventures. Guides swapped stories on its steps. And more than a few unexpected love connections started there.
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For decades, that tiny building held enormous success. Santa Fe Rafting became known for unforgettable river experiences, the most talented guides in the region, and the kind of authentic, local energy that can’t be manufactured. Our guests kept returning year after year—bringing their closest friends, their children, and then their grandchildren.
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When ownership changed hands in 2018, Santa Fe Rafting didn’t just continue—it was revitalized. The business was handed down to someone who knew it from the inside out: a river guide who had spent over 15 years on the river with Santa Fe Rafting, learning every rapid, every protocol, and every story that made the company what it was. Even through Covid and the challenges of buying a business, the new leadership breathed fresh life into a paper-and-pen operation, modernizing systems and strengthening the guide team into one of the most solid, positive crews on the river.
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By 2022, we could feel a shift coming. Nothing concrete, just the sense that change was on the horizon—so we stayed alert, adaptable, and ready to move with whatever the future brought. And when the neighboring tenants moved out of the giant warehouse on the same lot, the property owner placed their trust in Jared and Santa Fe Rafting, offering us the chance to expand. In 2023, we moved into that warehouse and ultimately took over the entire lot.
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We built a thriving operation there—bigger trips, better gear, a stronger team, more demand. We squeezed every ounce of possibility out of that adobe, not because we had to, but because that’s what river people do—we adapt. We remained grateful every day for the growth that space allowed. And even as we celebrated the expansion, we knew we couldn’t get too comfortable—and we didn’t.
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Change, as inevitable as the river’s flow, finally reached our shores.
The owner of the property was ready to sell, and with that, the entire strip from St. Francis Drive to Burrito Spot was destined for redevelopment. Plans for a hotel surfaced, even as neighborhood meetings filled with strong opposition. But the truth is, decisions of that scale move far beyond small businesses like ours. Whether we agreed or not, Santa Fe Rafting was being swept into the tide of change.
The Search for New Headwaters
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For three years, we searched for a new location. Anyone who lives in Santa Fe knows the harsh reality: space is nearly impossible to find, especially the kind of space we need—room for trailers, gear, shuttles, parking, and a welcoming check-in experience for guests and guides. Santa Fe is full, expensive, and rapidly shifting. Many times, after yet another hopeful lead collapsed under the weight of cost or sheer impracticality, we worried we might never find a home that worked. The thought was painful: after decades of serving this community, could rising costs really push us out?
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A sad truth about 1000 Cerrillos Road is that, knowing we would eventually have to move, making long-term improvements never felt practical. Over the years, the property became increasingly unsafe. We experienced more theft than we could count and even instances of strangers walking around armed. Right in the middle of Santa Fe and exposed year-round—it was no longer safe for our guides or guests. It became more and more hot, chaotic, and not the vibe. Although, we never minded the train, and we’ll miss the simple joy of waving at its passing passengers.
We could no longer settle for a concrete jungle when what we truly wanted—and what everyone deserved– was a place rooted in nature, safety, and beauty. Cerrillos was busy, loud, and increasingly unsafe, and while we were proud of what we accomplished there, we knew the next chapter would require something different.
And just when it seemed like we were at the end of the road with little to no options—an unexpected guide school student walked into our lives who would unknowingly change everything.
The Unexpected Ally
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He arrived with a huge smile, contagious laughter, and donuts and coffee—the universal sign of a good human. The 2025 class quickly nicknamed him their “Rafting Dad.” But what we didn’t realize at first was that behind the jokes and warmth was a brilliant businessman.
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He believed in what Santa Fe Rafting was doing. He saw the passion, the potential, and the value we brought to the community. And he helped us navigate a maze we’d never fully explored—connecting us with city officials, county leaders, state representatives, and community organizers. Our mission grew clearer. Our voices stronger.
We discovered something important: Not everyone understood the impact of outdoor recreation. The City of Santa Fe—despite its proclamations celebrating outdoor recreation—seemed strangely unmoved by the idea of losing a small, long-standing business. We weren’t big enough, flashy enough, or profitable enough for the city to fight for. Business diversity, access to outdoor recreation, youth engagement, tourism ripple effects—none of it carried weight in those rooms. It stung. But it forced us to get creative, pivot, and declare that we are not giving up.
But we also discovered something equally important: Some people cared deeply—deeply enough to help.
The Economic Development Department, especially Peter and Paige, showed up with genuine interest, thoughtful ideas, and a belief in what Santa Fe Rafting means to this region. They helped us keep going when the process felt overwhelming. And then came the connection that ignited a new chapter for SFR.
The Confluence of Ideas & Possibility
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Through a chain of meetings that felt almost destined, we were connected with the leadership at Nambé Pueblo.
The moment we arrived on their land, we felt it— A shift. A calm. A sense of possibility.
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There was curiosity, enthusiasm, and a shared vision. There was respect for nature, culture, community, and the power of outdoor rec. They listened. They asked questions. They saw value. They saw alignment.
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Together, we realized we wanted the same future:
Not another strip of concrete RV parks.
Not more heat, noise, and lifeless development.
Not more dispensaries and chain coffee shops.
But a place alive with purpose, access, and growth.
A place where people come to experience and learn about the rivers.
Where guides could grow in a safe, supportive environment.
Where outdoor recreation could give back to the land and the surrounding communities.
Where people could reconnect with nature—and with themselves.
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Because as much as the world accelerates with technology, AI, and innovation, people still crave and need something real: Cottonwoods in the wind. The feeling of flowing water. Fresh air, sun, new experiences. Moments that can’t be replicated on a screen.
And in one remarkable conversation, everything aligned.
A spark became a vision.
A vision became a plan.
A plan became a partnership.
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Santa Fe Rafting had finally found its new home—on the sovereign, sacred, stunning land of Nambé Pueblo.
The part that comes next… that’s the truly exciting chapter.
This move isn’t just about leaving one building for another—it was the push we needed to grow. It challenged us to think bigger, act bolder, and embrace possibilities we hadn’t imagined. Because this move isn’t the end of our story. It’s the beginning of something bigger, bolder, and more meaningful than anything we’ve ever done before.