The 62,000-square-foot CNM Rio Rancho campus recently became the largest higher education building in the State of New Mexico to earn the Gold Certification from the United States Green Building Council and its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. Campus construction consisted of twenty-four percent recycled materials and materials that were manufactured within 500 miles of the campus. In addition, the paints, adhesives and sealants in the building generate little to no chemical emissions. Geothermal wells under the campus provide the majority of energy used for the heating and cooling systems.