Municipal Water Connection Enables Opening of Teen Co-op in Taos

Teens in Taos have been working toward opening a youth-centered community space—the teen co-op—but the building cannot safely or legally operate without access to reliable drinking water. The leased facility was historically connected to a private well that has since run dry, leaving the space without water for drinking, sanitation, and basic operations despite completed renovations and years of youth planning and fundraising.

To help address this critical infrastructure barrier, the Executive Director of DreamTree developed a solution after a plumber’s assessment presented two options: either drill a deeper well or connect to municipal water. She reached out to LOR about the more reliable, cost-effective option: securing a municipal water connection.

With support from LOR, DreamTree will hire licensed contractors to complete trenching, waterline installation, and connection to Taos’ municipal water system. This one-time infrastructure fix will provide regulated, dependable access to safe drinking water while reducing long-term maintenance risks associated with private wells in drought-prone areas. The connection will enable the teen co-op to finally open for regular use, ensuring young people in Taos have consistent access to the youth-centered community space they helped create through years of effort and planning.