Every citizen has a fundamental right to access public records. Bd. of Comm’rs of Dona Ana County v. Las Cruces Sun-News, 2003-NMCA-102, 76 P.3d 36.

The New Mexico Inspection of Records Act (usually called IPRA) recognizes that a representative government is dependent upon an informed electorate and therefore the intent of the legislature in enacting IPRA is that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of public officers and employees. NMSA 1978 § 14-2-5

The general policy of the state, as declared by the Legislature, is that unless a narrow list of exceptions applies, citizens have the right to inspect all records of a public entity.

Because of the presumption in favor of the right to inspect, public bodies acquiring information should remember that the records they keep generally are going to be subject to public inspection under IPRA.