Public Records

Last updated 4 Nov 2026

Your right to inspect records

Under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), every person has the right to inspect the public records of Four Corners Regional Education Cooperative #1 (REC1). You don’t have to say why you want them. Making records available is part of the routine duties of REC1’s officers and employees.

Some information is exempt from disclosure by law. If a record has both exempt and public information, we separate them and make the public part available. REC1 isn’t required to create a record that doesn’t already exist.

Many records are already online. Board agendas, minutes and governing documents are on Board & Governance.

How to make a request

Send your request to the Records Custodian by mail, by email or in person:

You can ask in person, by phone or in writing, but the deadlines and penalties in the Act apply only to written requests. Email counts as writing. A written request must include:

• your name, address and telephone number; and
• a description of the records you want, detailed enough for us to find them.

What happens next

• We’ll let you inspect the records right away, or as soon as we can. That will be no later than 15 calendar days after the Records Custodian receives your written request.
• If inspection isn’t possible within 3 business days, we’ll tell you in writing when the records will be available or when we’ll respond.
• If a request is excessively burdensome or broad, the law allows more time. We’ll tell you in writing within 15 calendar days if we need it.
• If any records are denied, we’ll send a written explanation within 15 calendar days of receiving your request.

Records can be inspected at the REC1 office during business hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Copies and fees

There’s no charge to inspect records, and no charge for deciding whether a record can be released. If you’d like copies:

• Electronic copies: available if the record exists in electronic form, in the file format it’s already in.
• Printed copies: a reasonable fee per page, never more than the $1.00 the law allows for documents 11 by 17 inches or smaller.
• Discs, drives and delivery: the actual cost of the storage device, and of sending copies by mail, email or fax.

For current fees, contact the Records Custodian. We may ask for payment before making copies, and we’ll give you a receipt if you ask for one.

If you have a concern

Talk to the Records Custodian first. The New Mexico Department of Justice also explains your rights under the Act and how to file a complaint.