Rico Wins State Small Community Award, Boosts Local Revitalization
Rico was named the 2025 Small Community of the Year by the Economic Development Council of Colorado, recognition that highlights recent investments in parks, a community center project, and early moves to build a municipal sewer system. The award also reflects progress on a multi year settlement and cleanup with Atlantic Richfield under the state Voluntary Cleanup Program to address lead contamination, a development with direct public health and economic implications for local residents.
Rico's selection as the 2025 Small Community of the Year by the Economic Development Council of Colorado marks a milestone in a series of civic improvements aimed at strengthening quality of life and economic resilience in this Dolores County town. Announced on KOTO's Nov. 12, 2025 newscast, the honor recognizes tangible investments in public amenities, property reclamation efforts, and nascent infrastructure planning that together shape longer term prospects for residents and local businesses.
Recent town park revitalization projects cited in the award include a new skate park, a pavilion, and a bicycle pump track. Those amenities are designed to serve youth and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, complementing the broader Colorado trend toward attracting visitors through small town outdoor experiences. The town has also moved forward on creating a community center by acquiring a historic church, an effort that signals both preservation of local heritage and the creation of shared space for events, programming, and services.
On infrastructure, Rico is taking initial steps toward developing a municipal sewer system. Establishing such an essential service can reduce long term maintenance costs, improve environmental outcomes for waterways, and unlock eligibility for state and federal funding streams that often require centralized systems. For a community weighing capital costs against long term benefits, the sewer project represents a pivotal policy and fiscal decision with implications for development patterns and property stewardship.
The award notice also referenced a multi year settlement and cleanup work with Atlantic Richfield under Colorado's Voluntary Cleanup Program to remediate lead contaminated sites around town. Addressing legacy contamination is both a public health priority and an economic stability factor. Remediation reduces health risks associated with lead exposure, and it can remove environmental liabilities that depress property values and deter investment. Progress on cleanup can therefore help stabilize the local tax base and support future economic activity.
For Dolores County residents the developments are immediately relevant. New recreational infrastructure and a community center create local amenities that can retain residents and improve day to day life. Sewer system planning and contamination cleanup address foundational issues that affect public health, environmental quality, and the town's capacity to attract investment. Recognition from the Economic Development Council of Colorado may also raise Rico's profile with grantmakers and visitors, potentially accelerating funding and tourism related revenue.
Rico's award comes at a time when many small Colorado communities are balancing preservation with modernization. The combination of park enhancements, adaptive reuse of a historic church, infrastructure planning, and remediation work paints a picture of a town pursuing a multi faceted approach to long term sustainability.
