Artists of Rico, Dolores County, sustain local culture, host year-round events

At 8,827 feet in Rico, a coalition of makers stages three signature community events annually: the July 4th Art Show, Ceramic Pop-ups and the Annual Photo Contest, and operates a monthly creative forum called Rico Speaks. The programming is presented by Artists of Rico, Colorado, a small, formalized coalition and nonprofit (501(c)(3)) centered in the town of Rico in eastern Dolores County, a community described on its site as a “proud artisan community of 256 people.”

Artists of Rico, Colorado presents itself with the heading “SMALL TOWN, BIG TALENT” and a full description that reads: “Situated high in the Rocky Mountains of southwest Colorado sits the tiny town of Rico, a proud artisan community of 256 people. The Artists of Rico, Colorado (ARC) are working to nurture a sense of fellowship among the area’s talented artists and craftspeople. […] Located 26 miles southwest of Telluride, we share in the wondrous beauty of the area, with added uniqueness of privacy and isolation. Positioned at 8827 ft. in elevation, things are quiet here in Rico, until you step into our artisans’ workshops where the hum of action and creativity goes late into the night. We encourage you to learn more about our local artists and visit our vibrant community.”

The group’s “WHO WE ARE” heading states, “A team of dedicated and engaged artists, working together to form a more united artisan community in Rico, Colorado.” News headlines on the aRc site document ongoing activity: “Rico Speaks: New Monthly Gathering for Creative Voices,” and the site notes, “The Rico Speaks project was begun to provide a space to honor and to share…” Public art work is highlighted under “aRc Continues to Enhance Rico with Public Art,” with a reference to Laurie Adams, a ceramic artist from Rico, in the line “Laurie Adams, ceramic artist from Rico, began sharing her love of working in clay by…” The coalition also recorded participation in a town holiday event under the headline “Artists of Rico Participate in Rico Noel Night 2025,” with the note, “Artists of Rico participated in the traditional Rico Noel Night event for 2025, this year…”

A separate local institution, The Rico Center, provides an annual funding mechanism that supports community services and historic preservation. The Rico Center was established with the passage of a Dolores County mill levy increase in 2003 and states its mission plainly: “To award grants to local non-profits, governmental entities and individuals involved in community development and/or community-based efforts.” The Rico Center clarifies its priorities: “To accomplish this, The Rico Center concentrates its efforts in three areas: sustainability, community resource development and support for community organizations.” The Center also notes, “The Rico Center awards grants once a year. The application deadline is October 31.”

Examples of activities the Rico Center says its grants have helped fund are listed verbatim: “Rico Center grants have helped to fund many of Rico’s services and activities including: operations of Rico’s pre-school, elementary school, fire department, and library. Assisting with the acquisition and rehabilitation of historic structures including the Engel House, the Rico Museum, head frames, and water tank. Supporting town services like maintaining winter cross country ski trails, the ice skating rink, and 4th of July events.” The Rico Center's Board of Directors, described as “made up of five to seven members who meet regularly to oversee all business of The Rico Center,” includes Cristal Hibbard, President, chibbard@ricocenter.org; Emily Nolan, Treasurer, enolan@ricocenter.org; Kate Contillo, kcontillo@ricocenter.org; Annie Williams, awilliams@ricocenter.org; Stacy Sheridan, ssheridan@ricocenter.org; and Jonathan Hay, jhay@ricocenter.org.

Both Artists of Rico and The Rico Center maintain web presences carrying copyright lines reading “© 2026” and site design credits to KO Web Design. Between aRc’s recurring public programming and The Rico Center’s annual grant cycle, Rico’s cultural calendar and town services are supported by a mix of artist-run events, monthly gatherings and a once-a-year community grant process with an October 31 application deadline.