Rico Fire Protection District Posts Feb. 16 Meeting Notices, Minutes

Let them know your questions or concerns – and be sure to thank them for their service to the community." That public-engagement line appears on the Rico Fire Protection District's site as the district published its regular meeting notices and minutes for mid‑February, including the Feb. 16, 2026 meeting that covered routine governance and planning items.

Town of Rico minutes show the Town Board voted to approve a memorandum of understanding to transfer the fire station property identified as lots 9, 10, 11, and 12, block 2. Trustee Gerrish Willis moved the MOU; Mayor Pro Tem Cristal Hibbard seconded. A roll call vote recorded the motion as approved, 3-0, with Gerrish Willis, Mayor Pro Tem Cristal Hibbard, and Trustee Scott Poston voting yes and Trustee Benn Vernadakis abstaining.

That same set of Town minutes records other actions tied to community services. The Board considered a letter of resignation from Trustee Chris Condon while Town Manager Chauncey McCarthy provided an update. The Board also approved a letter of support for the Rico Trail Alliance Rico Center grant application; Trustee Gerrish Willis moved that motion, Trustee Scott Poston seconded, and the roll call vote again recorded the motion as approved, 3-0. For the trail alliance support, the roll call shows Gerrish Willis, Benn Vernadakis, and Scott Poston voting yes, with Mayor Pro Tem Cristal Hibbard abstaining. Jim Ostrem represented the Rico Trail Alliance during that agenda item.

The Rico Fire Protection District administers the Rico Fire Department and was formed in 1992 as a Colorado Special District. At formation RFPD incorporated Rico Hose Co. #1, Rico Ambulance, and Search and Rescue operations for eastern Dolores County operating under the Dolores County Sheriff. The district's coverage area includes the Town of Rico, the Sundial PUD, and adjacent unincorporated county land. Ricofire materials confirm the RFPD board is made up of five members who must be registered voters residing within the district; elections are held in May of even-numbered years and the board is responsible for determining how Fire District revenues are spent. Ricofire lists regular meetings as usually the third Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. at the Rico Fire Station.

For policy context, a separate Arizona district, the Rio Rico Medical & Fire District, requires written conflict-of-interest disclosures upon hire or election, annual attestation at the December meeting, and monthly financial reports finalized within three weeks for presentation at the Regular Meeting; those requirements are specific to that Arizona district and state statutes and are not presented as RFPD policy. Rico Fire's online pages invite the public to preview documents and third-party links for additional resources; the Feb. 16 notices and minutes now posted on the district's official site and community calendars are the public record residents should review to track how the proposed transfer of lots 9–12, block 2 proceeds.