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Rio Arriba County, New Mexico (U.S.)

Last modified: 2025-02-15 by rick wyatt
Keywords: rio arriba county | new mexico |
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[Flag of Lea County] image by Daniel Rentería, 25 January 2025
based on photo

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Known Flag - indicates flag is known.
No Known Flag - indicates it is reported that there is no known flag.

Municipal flags in Rio Arriba County:

See also:

Description of the flag

According to this article by the Rio Grande Sun, the Rio Arriba county flag was first created in 1992, with artist Presciliano Romero taking most of the credit for the design of the flag. The flag in the article is said to fly above county offices in Española (I am not entirely sure about today) with a blue background. However, this flag was unofficial, and there were even other unofficial flags flown for the county, specifically two others with different backgrounds. On June 15, 2005, it was agreed upon by the county that they should establish an official county flag. Romero adjusted the shade on the flag and logo once again, and at a later council meeting the flag with the blue background was made official (I am not sure exactly when).
Daniel Rentería, 24 September 2023

The flag bears a blue field, which serves as a literal representation of the county name (Upper River).
Daniel Rentería, 25 January 2025

Seal

[Seal of Rio Arriba County, New Mexico]image located by Paul Bassinson, 31 July 2018

Image source: littlegreenfootballs.com
Paul Bassinson, 31 July 2018

The seal on the flag is in the shape of a Zia sun symbol, the first circle within bearing the full county name divided into two ribbons, and in between images of a deer, corn, bear, and apples, staples of the natural environment. Within the innermost circle is a large adobe house at the bottom with a yucca plant and leaf to the front, remembering county traditions. Just above the house is a map of the county, bearing a wide agricultural field with a view of the sky, mountains, hills, and desert environment; at the top of the map is a Zia sun symbol. The rest of the innermost circle bears a big blue sky; at the righthand side is a bald eagle which is found in the region and is a symbol of American patriotism, while at the very top is a symbol of the three eras: an Indian, Spaniard, and modern man side-by-side.
Daniel Rentería, 25 January 2025