Albuquerque Cuts Public Records Backlog Below 1,000 in FY 2025
More than 65 percent of requests now resolved within 20 days, marking measurable progress for residents
ALBUQUERQUE – The Office of the City Clerk announced today that in Fiscal Year 2025, Albuquerque’s backlog of Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) requests fell below 1,000 for the first time since June 2023. At the same time, more than 65 percent of all requests are now closed within 20 days, a sign that the City’s approach is no longer just about catching up but about staying ahead.
“In FY 2025, we’ve proved that staying ahead of public records requests is possible, even as they reach record levels,” said City Clerk Ethan Watson. “By closing most requests within 20 days, we’re giving residents faster access to information while protecting sensitive details that deserve care. Bringing the backlog below 1,000 is real progress, and we’ll keep working to improve both our processes and the system we operate in.”
The results come from a system-wide overhaul of records management, including a triage process that sorts new requests by complexity, expanded digitization of records, and added staffing to handle rising demand. These changes allow straightforward requests to be closed quickly and separating them from more complex requests
View the full FY 2025 IPRA Annual Review
FY 2025 Results at a Glance:
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Backlog dropped below 1,000 requests for the first time since June 2023;
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65 percent of all requests in FY 2025 closed within 20 days;
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53 percent of requests closed in just 15 days;
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More than 15,000 requests received this fiscal year, a 13 percent increase from FY 2024.
These results reflect FY 2025’s focused efforts: a system-wide overhaul of records management, new triage processes, expanded digitization, and additional staffing to meet rising demand.
FY 2025 Top Requestors
FY 2025 Closure Rate
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The Office of the City Clerk is responsible for the proper preservation, maintenance, and availability of public records. We oversee a fair and equitable public finance program and carry out our mission by abiding by the provisions of federal, state, and local laws.