The Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments (SWNMCOG) represents the four counties of Catron, Hidalgo, Grant and Luna. The region features vast open lands, thriving designated Main Street historic districts, and sparsely populated communities, including the Mexico/USA border towns of Columbus and Deming.
There is a richness of history in the Southwest region of Catron, Hidalgo, Grant and Luna counties that dates back more than 700 years to the early inhabitants of the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Many natural treasures such as the Catwalk National Recreation Trail and Gila Wilderness Area welcome visitors year-round and support quality outdoor recreation experiences. The iconic Continental Divide Trail traverses the region and Silver City in Grant County is a gateway
community for the 3100 mile long trail.
Many of the small rural towns in the region are classified as Colonia via county resolutions because they lack adequate water, sewer and sufficient safe sanitary housing. The region also holds designated Frontier counties. In general frontier counties have sparsely populated areas, isolated from population centers and face challenges providing access to
health and human services.
