Rico Trails Alliance Volunteers Steward and Connect Trails in Upper Dolores Watershed

Rico Trails Alliance (RTA), a grassroots 501(c)(3) formed in 2017, has accelerated trail stewardship and construction across the upper Dolores Watershed, securing grants, grooming equipment, and volunteer capacity to keep trails open year-round and connect Rico to regional routes. RTA’s work affects daily access for residents, seasonal businesses that rely on outdoor recreation, and visitors seeking family-friendly routes along the Dolores River.

RTA’s stated mission is clear: "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." That mission underpins projects now in progress, most visibly the Rio Grande Southern (RGS) River Trail, a conversion of an old railroad grade into nearly five miles of family-friendly trail along the Dolores River. RTA is also advancing a reroute of the RGS-Burnett Connector with certified trail construction work planned.

The organization has combined volunteer labor and paid contracting planned through targeted grant dollars. Local grant awards list $26,500 allocated in part to a $6,500 reroute of the RGS-Burnett Connector and $20,000 to hire a Development Director for fundraising and organizational capacity. A separate $31,500 award designates $6,000 to support RGS trail construction and 2025 summer trail work crews and $25,500 for general operating support for fundraising outreach. Earlier funding of $15,000 supported an improvement plan and the recruitment, training, and management of volunteer trail crews repairing west-side U.S. Forest Service (USFS) trails.

Operational investments have translated into on-the-ground services: RTA has purchased a snowmobile and a groomer for snow and fat-bike trail grooming, installed trail signage, completed a user-friendly trail map on its website, and pursued a pump track and bike repair station as community amenities. RTA maintains volunteer trail work agreements with the U.S. Forest Service and describes itself as the only trails organization maintaining USFS non-motorized trails throughout the Rico area, a role that preserves year-round access for hikers, bikers, trail runners and nordic skiers.

Community programming has broadened outreach and membership. RTA has hosted Fun Runs, Fat Bike Bashes, group rides, membership kickoff events, and film nights including a screening titled "Fire Lines." The alliance launched a new membership campaign in 2024 and is requesting proposals to map and oversee maintenance for sections of the Wildcat Trail, with proposals due April 29 as listed on RTA notices.

Residents who want to volunteer, donate, or learn trail status can contact Rico Trails Alliance directly: EIN 82-0839610; PO BOX 25, RICO, CO 81332; phone 520-229-9598; email info@ricotrailsalliance.org. RTA also posts maps and a photo gallery on its social feed under @ricotrails.

For Dolores County readers, RTA’s recent grants and equipment purchases mean more reliable winter grooming, clearer signage, and planned trail improvements that will link Rico into larger networks such as the Colorado Trail and Calico Trail. The coming season will test whether the planned Development Director hire and 2025 trail crews translate into sustained fundraising and faster completion of RGS segments; for now, the alliance’s combination of volunteers, contractor work, and targeted grants is expanding access and keeping local trails in active stewardship.