New Mexico’s high desert is no stranger to secrets, but few places in the state have drawn as much speculation and unease as Zorro Ranch, the sprawling estate once owned by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Now, more than six years after Epstein’s death in a Manhattan jail cell, lawmakers in Santa Fe are pushing for a sweeping investigation into what really happened at the secluded property—and how the state can prevent such abuses from ever happening again.
The movement gained traction on November 7, 2025, when Democratic state Representative Andrea Romero of Santa Fe introduced a proposal for a $2.5 million “truth commission” to examine Epstein’s activities at Zorro Ranch. The property, purchased by Epstein in 1993 from former Democratic Governor Bruce King, is situated about 35 miles south of Santa Fe. With its 26,700-square-foot hilltop mansion and private runway, the ranch has long been the subject of rumors and speculation, but hard answers have remained elusive.
Romero explained the commission’s purpose to a panel of legislators, stating, “This commission will specifically seek the truth about what officials knew, how crimes were unreported or reported, and how the state can ensure that this essentially never happens again.” She emphasized, “There’s no complete record of what occurred.” According to the Associated Press, several survivors of Epstein’s abuse have indicated that sex trafficking activity at Zorro Ranch did, in fact, take place.
The push for a formal investigation comes at a time when Epstein’s legacy continues to reverberate far beyond New Mexico. His connections and alleged crimes have sparked international inquiries, roiled the U.S. Congress, and even prompted King Charles III to formally strip Prince Andrew of his royal title, as reported by the Associated Press. Yet in New Mexico, the focus is on learning from the past and ensuring the state is never again a haven for predators who exploit legal loopholes.
Epstein’s criminal history is well documented. In 2008, he pleaded guilty in Florida to soliciting a minor for prostitution under an agreement that required him to spend 13 months in jail and register as a sex offender. The plea deal, widely criticized for its secrecy and leniency, effectively ended a federal investigation into allegations involving at least 40 teenage girls. Despite these requirements, Epstein was able to avoid registering as a sex offender in New Mexico for years, a fact that has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum.
In 2019, the New Mexico Attorney General’s office confirmed it was investigating Epstein’s activities and had interviewed possible victims who visited the ranch. While Epstein never faced charges in New Mexico, the state’s top law enforcement officials have continued to probe his financial dealings and connections. In 2023, Attorney General Raúl Torrez ordered an investigation into financial businesses used by Epstein, resulting in agreements with two banks to dedicate $17 million to human trafficking prevention efforts, according to agency spokesperson Lauren Rodriguez.
The proposed truth commission would thrust New Mexico into the global spotlight as it joins a growing list of jurisdictions seeking to unravel the full extent of Epstein’s crimes and associations. The investigation is expected to take at least two years, and its findings could shape state and national policy on sex trafficking for years to come.
Support for the commission has come from both sides of the aisle, though not without reservations. Republican Representative Andrea Reeb, a former district attorney from Clovis, voiced her backing for the initiative, saying, “I do feel like this is a unique opportunity to help victims. I do believe New Mexicans do have a right to know what happened at this ranch. And I didn’t get the impression it was gonna be a big political thing.”
Others, however, have questioned the timing of the probe. Republican Representative Stafani Lord of Sandia Park asked pointedly, “Why now?” She referenced political tensions, including former President Donald Trump’s vow to release documents related to Epstein, and added, “Why not a long time ago? Every time I ride my motorcycle past there (Zorro Ranch), I get sick to my stomach.”
To move forward, the commission must first receive approval from the state House when the Legislature convenes in January 2026. The plan calls for the creation of a bipartisan oversight committee of four legislators to ensure the process remains transparent and accountable. Democratic state Representative Marianna Anaya, a cosponsor of the initiative, has stressed the importance of bipartisan cooperation to maintain public trust.
The Zorro Ranch itself has changed hands since Epstein’s death. Sold by his estate in 2023, the proceeds went to creditors, but the property’s dark legacy lingers. For many in New Mexico, the ranch stands as a symbol of how powerful individuals can manipulate systems and evade justice, often with devastating consequences for the most vulnerable.
Epstein’s death in 2019—ruled a suicide while he awaited trial on federal charges of sexually abusing and trafficking dozens of underage girls—did little to quell public demand for answers. The Associated Press noted that the case was brought more than a decade after Epstein had secretly cut a deal with federal prosecutors in Florida to resolve nearly identical allegations. Epstein was accused of paying underage girls hundreds of dollars in cash for massages and then molesting them, a pattern that, according to survivors, may have extended to his New Mexico property.
The state’s previous efforts to investigate Epstein have yielded some progress. The 2023 agreements with two banks to dedicate $17 million to human trafficking prevention represent one of the largest such commitments in New Mexico’s history. Still, lawmakers like Romero argue that a comprehensive account of what happened at Zorro Ranch is essential for healing and reform. “There’s no complete record of what occurred,” she reiterated, underscoring the need for a thorough and public investigation.
The commission’s supporters hope its work will shed light on the failures and gaps that allowed Epstein to operate with impunity for so long. They also see it as a chance to strengthen state laws and ensure that no future offender can exploit New Mexico’s legal system in the same way. For survivors and their advocates, the commission represents a long-overdue opportunity for justice and accountability.
As the Legislature prepares to take up the measure in January, the outcome remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that New Mexico is ready to confront its uncomfortable past—and, perhaps, lead the way in preventing such tragedies in the future.
