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Rico Colorado
Downtown Rico, CO. Photo: Granger Meador

Rico, Colorado

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Settled in 1879 as a silver mining town, Rico is a quaint community tucked away in Southwest Colorado. It’s situated 27 miles south of Telluride on CO-145. The town motto is “A Slice of Paradise”.

Located in Dolores County, Rico is an incorporated town and Home Rule Municipality with a population of 265 residents in 2010. The name of the town comes from the Spanish word for “rich”. The downtown section features many historic buildings and a bar and grill that’s open year round. The land around Rico is full of natural wonders.

Rico Colorado Former Dolores County Courthouse
Former Dolores County Courthouse in Rico. Photo: Steven Martin

Most of the visitors to Rico come for its outdoor recreation in the surrounding mountains. The Dolores River flows past town, offering an abundance of great fishing spots.The region is also rich in hiking, biking, camping and skiing at Telluride Ski Resort.

The drive to Rico is located on the San Juan Skyway, national scenic byway. It passes through much of Southwest Colorado, circling Ridgway, Ouray, Silverton, Durango, Cortez and Telluride.

Recreation

Read about the camping near Telluride, Ophir and Rico.

Accommodations



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Rico Colorado Commercial Buildings
Commercial buildings in Rico. Photo: Steven Martin
Rico Colorado Mining Structure
Mining structure. Photo: Steven Martin
Rico Colorado Yellow House
Yellow house in Rico. Photo: susanhuntphotography.com
Rico Colorado Old Church
Old church. Photo: susanhuntphotography.com
Rico Colorado Main Street
Main Street in Rico. Photo: susanhuntphotography.com
Rico Colorado Boarding House and Post Office
Rico’s Boarding House and Post Office. Photo: susanhuntphotography.com
Rico Colorado Historic Museum
Rico Historic Museum. Photo: susanhuntphotography.com
Rico Colorado Mountainside
Mountainside in Rico. Photo: susanhuntphotography.com
Rico Colorado Dey Building
Dey Building, built in 1892 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Photo: Acroterion

Activities near Rico

Federal Lands:

  • Lizard Head Wilderness
  • San Juan National Forest
  • Uncompahgre National Forest

Scenic Drives:

  • Lizard Head Pass (12mi)
  • San Juan Skyway

Towns:

  • Ames (18mi)
  • Cortez (48mi)
  • Dolores (37mi)
  • Mountain Village (24mi)
  • Norwood (53mi)
  • Ophir (19mi)
  • Ouray (70mi)
  • Placerville (36mi)
  • Ridgway (59mi)
  • Sawpit (32mi)
  • Telluride (27mi)

Transportation:

  • Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) (26mi)

View the town’s official website.

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Dolores County

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  • Dove Creek
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