N.M. Stat. § 73-14-18
As the same are now constituted, any conservancy district organized under the provisions of the Conservancy Act of New Mexico and such conservancy district being created prior to 1930, embracing land situate in four or more counties and having an appointed board of directors, shall, after the election and qualification of the board of directors cease to have an appointed board of directors and in lieu thereof shall have an elected board of directors as provided in Sections 73-14-18 through 73-14-32 NMSA 1978, which board of directors shall bear the name "Board of Directors of the ............ Conservancy District" and shall be a body corporate, may sue and be sued, and which shall succeed to, have, exercise, enjoy, assume and perform all of the rights, powers, obligations and duties now by law vested in, conferred upon, imposed upon or required of, the boards hereby abolished.
NMS § 73-14-18