Rico Trails Alliance

Rico Trails Alliance (RTA) was formed in Rico, Colorado in the winter of 2017 to improve existing trails and develop trails that accommodate all types of non-motorized recreation (hiking, biking, Nordic skiing, etc.). RTA's goal is to create a local loop and trail system that will tie into regional trails including the Colorado Trail and Calico Trail which traverse the east and west side of the Dolores River valley above the Town of Rico. 

Our current project is the Rio Grande Southern River Trail, a river corridor trail that begins in the Town of Rico and extends south 4.7 miles along the former Rio Grand Southern (RGS) railroad right of way. Over the last 4 years, RTA has secured approvals for this project by partnering with the US Forest Service, the Town of Rico and private property owners. The last critical component of the RGS River Trail project is to engineer and construct a bridge across the Dolores River in the same location where a historic RGS railroad bridge once crossed the river. The bridge is crucial to the project as it will allow the trail to connect from the Town of Rico through private and US Forest Service property to the Montezuma/Dolores County line. From there riders and hikers can access the Colorado Trail (CT) via the Ryman Creek Trail (that RTA realigned and restored in 2021) or the Salt Creek trail. Without a bridge connecting the two sections of the RGS railroad grade, bikers, hikers and skiers must climb a steep and technical trail or ride Highway 145 to access the Ryman/Salt/CT trail system. Due to the mountainous terrain surrounding Rico, the RGS railroad grade’s gentle slope affords the only non-motorized recreational trail that will be accessible to families with young children, beginner and intermediate cyclists, and a more mature population. The RGS River Trail also showcases Rico's mining past, featuring many old mining and railroad structures (railroad ties, telegraph poles, and charcoal kilns).