Tucked in the San Juan Mountains is the tiny town of Rico, Colorado – and it has a big heart for trails. Meet the Rico Trails Alliance (RTA), a grassroots nonprofit formed in the winter of 2017 by a handful of passionate locals, a group of volunteers who simply loved exploring their own backyard . RTA’s mission is simple: connect people with the outdoors by building and improving non-motorized trails right in their backyard. This community-driven crew is all about stewardship and smiles, whether they’re maintaining favorite paths or dreaming up new ones. In fact, they’re currently trailblazing a new route, the Rio Grande Southern (RGS) River Trail. Transforming an old railroad grade along the Dolores River into nearly five miles of family-friendly trail.
From its humble, boots-on-the-ground beginnings to today, RTA has been weaving together trails, nature, and neighbors and in Rico, that vision is coming to life one switchback at a time.
Q&A
Can you share the history of the Rico Trail Alliance? What inspired its creation?
Rico Trails Alliance (RTA) is a grassroots volunteer organization that was founded in 2017 by a group of local mountain bike enthusiasts in Rico, a small historic mining town situated in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. RTA’s mission is “To steward the regional trail systems within the upper Dolores Watershed focusing on the sustainable and inclusive recreational use, development, and access of non-motorized trails.” We represent the interests of all non-motorized trail users, including bikers, hikers, trail runners, nordic skiers and anyone who enjoys getting out on our trails. At its inception, RTA’s near term vision was to obtain trail work funds and work with the US Forest Service to maintain, reroute and improve several existing trails extending from the East Dolores River Valley and the Town of Rico up to the iconic Colorado Trail that runs 567 miles from Denver to Durango.
When RTA was formed, Rico’s economy was struggling. Owners of the few businesses operating on Main Street were frustrated that folks passed through town (on their way to/from Telluride 28 miles away) without recreating and spending time (and money) in Rico. One of RTA’s early objectives was to infuse some vitality into the local economy by improving and showcasing Rico’s trails. Once formed, RTA hit the ground running working on trails and signage, securing grant funding, hiring trails professionals to cut new sections of trail (connectors and reroutes) in collaboration with the US Forest Service and to inventory and assess other area trails for future work.
During the COVID pandemic (2020-2022), RTA saw a huge uptick in trail use and added trail stewardship and education to its mission, hosting smaller community awareness and trailwork training events (Fun Runs, Fat Bike Bashes, etc.).
What role does the Alliance play in maintaining and developing trails in the Rico area?
RTA is the only trails organization that maintains US Forest Service’s non-motorized trails throughout the Rico area.
How would you describe the mountain biking scene in Rico? What makes it unique compared to other areas?
Rico sits in an incredible alpine river valley with an elevation of almost 9,000 feet. Trails on the west side of the valley are more rugged and extend up to the Calico Trail, with stunning views of the Wilson massif of 13 thousand foot peaks and Utah. Trails on the east side of the valley extend up to the Colorado Trail, with incredible views of the Weminuche wilderness area and the rest of the San Juan mountains. There are also “town trails” in and surrounding Rico. If single track isn’t your thing, there are many old mining roads that can be used to get up high and explore the area.
Q&A Continued
Can you tell us about the most popular trails in the Rico area and what makes them stand out?
The three most popular trails are those that connect with the Colorado Trail, namely Circle Trail, a steep and technical single track on the east side of Rico, and the Ryman Creek and Salt Creek Trails, also on the east side of the valley approximately 5 miles south of Rico. Ryman Creek Trail has long flowing switchbacks and technical sections and Salt Creek Trail is a more challenging descent through a range of steeper terrain and traverses.
What role does the Alliance play in maintaining and developing trails in the Rico area?
RTA is the only trails organization that maintains US Forest Service’s non-motorized trails throughout the Rico area.
What kind of community involvement do you see in trail work? How do locals and visitors contribute to maintaining these trails?
From late spring through early fall, RTA holds weekly trail work evenings with its members and other volunteers. For larger projects, RTA hosts trail work days/weekends with community members and often in conjunction with neighboring trails organizations. These events are an opportunity for trails enthusiasts to socialize, become more familiar with local trails and learn/improve their trail work skills.
Are there any specific projects the Rico Trails Alliance is currently working on that you’re particularly excited about?
RTA is in the final stages of completing Rico’s RGS River Trail that will extend from town south approximately 4.7 miles (to the Ryman Creek and Salt Creek trailheads) along the east fork of the Dolores River and the historic Rio Grande Southern (RGS) railroad grade. This will be the only non-motorized trail in or around Rico, with a gentle grade accessible to every level of athlete (hikers, runners, bikers and nordic skiers), non-athletes, families and people of all ages and abilities. This summer, RTA is launching a crucial fundraising campaign for a bridge that will complete the project. The bridge will be constructed where the former Rio Grande Southern railway crossed the Dolores River. This pedestrian bridge is an amenity the entire community and its visitors will enjoy.
Q&A Continued
What do you wish trail users knew about trail work?
In general, we wish that trail users knew how much time, money and effort went into creating and maintaining a trail system. As for trail work specifically, RTA wishes people weren’t daunted by it. It’s a great way to learn about local trails and get to know other trail athletes and users. All you really need is a heart beat and a pair of gloves.
How do you balance sustainability and growth when it comes to trail expansion in the area?
Rico is surrounded almost entirely by US Forest Service land. Any new trails or trail expansions must go through a rigorous NEPA approval process which takes years and is expensive, so we must be selective and prioritize where trail improvements are needed most. RTA primarily focuses on improving existing trails - be they social trails that evolved over time without Forest Service approval, connections between Forest Service trails and Forest Service trails and roads that were previously motorized.
How do you engage with local businesses and organizations to support the trails and the mountain biking community in Rico?
RTA conducts its events at local venues and with local food and beverage vendors. We work with the Town of Rico to build short trails in Rico (the town is geographically small and has a population of approximately 300). We also groom for winter fat biking on the Town’s nordic trails. We work with the Southwest Colorado Cycling Association (SWCCA) to co-host trail work events. We work with the State Historic Preservation Office and two historical society organizations to protect and showcase the many historic mining features adjacent to our trail projects, and in particular the RGS River Trail.
What advice would you give to someone new to mountain biking in the Rico area? Any tips or hidden gems they should check out?
Our trails are not overcrowded, so the Rico area classics, Circle Trail, Ryman Creek Trail and Salt Creek Trail, are a must do. These are this area’s three most improved trails for mountain biking purposes. Bike packers on the Colorado Trail can access Circle Trail at Section Point and descend approximately 7 miles down to Rico to resupply (and grab a beverage at our local watering hole, the historic Enterprise Bar & Grill). Note: Circle Trail and Salt Creek Trails are very challenging ascents, descending them from the Colorado Trail is most recommended.
How can people get involved with the Rico Trail Alliance? What are the best ways to support the trails and the community?
The best way to get involved is to become a member at https://www.ricotrailsalliance.org/support-rta/ and come to our volunteer trails work evenings and other community events. We also have a monthly newsletter and social media platforms (Instagram and Facebook) to help folks stay informed.
Fast forward to today, and it’s clear the trails RTA builds are more than just lines on a map, they’re lifelines for the community. Getting involved with RTA is as easy as lacing up your hiking boots. Whether you can spare an afternoon digging on a volunteer trail day, chip in a few dollars for the next big project, or simply cheer them on via social media, every bit helps. It’s not just about building trails, it’s about forging a deeper connection between people and the land, and strengthening the bonds of this tight-knit mountain town. Out on the trail, the work is rewarding, the views are incredible, and the company can’t be beat. In Rico, every volunteer and supporter makes a difference and together this community is proving that when you care for the place you love, the trail ahead is always bright.
