Quick Facts:
- Riparian Corridor and Buffer: 600 feet wide
- Potential Amenities: Community Gardens, Trail Head, Boat Launch, and more
- Other Proposed Opportunities: River Trail; Wetland, riparian, and aquatic restoration; mitigation banking
Project Summary:
Great Ecology prepared a planning document to encapsulate a long-range vision for potential recreation and habitat restoration opportunities within and near the Town of Rico, Colorado. Within the framework of this vision, the Town of Rico can utilize this planning tool to strategize ways to catalyze economic and community revitalization as well as to identify mutually beneficial opportunities with potential project partners and stakeholders. The study and its recommendations complement and align with portions of the 2004 Town of Rico Regional Master Plan. Great Ecology conducted data gathering, site analyses, field reconnaissance, and onsite meetings, culminating in the development of the Town of Rico, Colorado Land Use Study & Conceptual Plan.
Developing Rico's Long-Range Plan
First Steps
Great Ecology delineated a conceptual design study area to identify restoration opportunities and challenges.
We selected a number of disturbed and under-utilized areas as prime targets for restoration or enhancement opportunities.
Initial opportunities included trail creation and connection, park development and improvement, and habitat restoration.
Community Engagement
Great Ecology met with project stakeholders, town staff, and community members to identify future land use opportunities that hold potential for revenue generation and/or community enrichment.
Some of these include:
• Trails
• Campgrounds
• Bike Park
• Improved Hot Springs
• Solar Field
• River Access
• Nature Play Features
• Outdoor Classroom/Amphitheater
Real Estate Development
In addition to potential recreational and ecological improvements, the study evaluated opportunities for light development including public, residential, and commercial building construction.
Light development provides additional opportunities for desired improvements such as solar energy generation, park development, and trail connectivity.
Great Ecology's final report identified one residential development opportunity, for which we developed two conceptual multi-family residential plans that added community-desired elements and either avoided impact to, or mitigated for, nearby wetlands.
Final Conceptual Land Use Plan
Great Ecology's final report identified 13 potential locations for land use improvements including recreational amenities, trails, light development, and municipal facilities.
Dolores River runs through Rico
Great Ecology staff visiting potential restoration site
Historic Town of Rico
Rico, CO