The town's name was changed from "Hot Springs" to "Truth or Consequences" on March 31, 1950, after Ralph Edwards, the host of the popular game show "Truth or Consequences," called for any town in America to do so - in celebration of the show's ten year anniversary.
The complete story of the name change can be found on the T or C Fiesta website.
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New Mexico's Spaceport America, currently under construction, is located approximately 30 miles southeast of Truth or Consequences in a remote area near Upham that is favored due to low population density, uncongested airspace, and high elevation. A more detailed map (with less context) is featured on the Spaceport America website. |
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LICENSE AND TAX REQUIREMENTS:
You must have a business license, available from the City Clerk, if your business is located within the city limits, and from the County Clerk if it is outside the city limits.
You must have a CRS number (CRS = Combined Reporting System) in order to pay local gross receipts tax
(GRT) on applicable sales. Our City Clerks can assist with a CRS number, or you can apply for one online.![]()
You'll also need a Federal Employee Identification Number (EIN), which may be obtained online.![]()
INSPECTIONS:
Call the Building Inspector to schedule a Fire/Safety/ADA Compliance Inspection. Your building must pass this inspection before your business can open.
The Bountiful Alliance,
a local non-profit group dedicated to creating community sustainability through projects such as the Farmers Market and the Community Garden, holds a Recycling Drive on the last Saturday of every month from 10am-2pm at the City's Recycling Center, 601 Nadyne Court.
Recyclables - all types of plastic, aluminum cans, and mixed paper/junk mail, cardboard and newspaper - may be dropped at any time in the Recycling Center's drop off bins, or during the end-of-month Drive. Phone books and glass are ONLY accepted at the end-of-the-month Recycling Drive.
Materials must be separated (plastic; aluminum cans; paper) and anything that previously held liquid or food should be well-rinsed and air-dried.
Questions about The Bountiful Alliance's Recycling Program should be directed to Phil Duncan: 575-740-5374 or pkduncan@riolink.com. Volunteers are always welcome!

Visit the County Clerk's office at 100 N. Date to register for all municipal, county and general elections. If you can not visit the office in person, call the Clerk's office at 894-2840 and ask them to mail voter registration forms to you. You will be required to send proof of residency with the completed form.
If you'd rather register online, numerous websites provide the means to do so, including Congress.org
, JustVote.org,
and Rock the Vote.![]()
No matter what method of registration you choose, the State of New Mexico requires that you supply your social security number and date of birth when registering. Though limited voter registration information is made available to the public, your social security number and date of birth are kept confidential, and are never disclosed as part of that information.
Yes - but only from October 1 though March 31.
Otherwise (April 1 - September 30), the City enforces a Restricted Watering Schedule in an effort to conserve water. You'll find the schedule (and answers to many more of your questions on local utilities) on the Utilities Department page.
If you've purchased a license for your cat or dog (and put the tag on your pet's collar) and they are picked up by Animal Control, the City Clerk's office will be contacted. The Clerk's office will in turn look up the license number and contact the pet's registered owner.
Otherwise, you can check the two Animal Shelters (Sierra
and Desert Haven
), and let the Police Department know (call dispatch for lost pets; do not call 911 unless someone's life is in immediate danger). You might also try calling the local radio station; they may be willing to make an on-air announcement about your missing pet.
Posting flyers in your neighborhood may help you locate your pet, but you are responsible for removing any flyers you post after they are no longer needed.