KILLER WEEKEND

Snowmobiles parked at the Enterprise Bar and Grill. photo by Brandy Randall

Rico, Colorado

Winter’s undiscovered treasure lies just off the beaten path

BY ROBERT STUMP

It takes a little over a minute to drive through Rico, Colorado, at the posted speed limit. Most of the traffic on State Highway 145 passes right through the blink-and-miss-it mining town, settled in 1879, unless stopped by the marshal when they blinked and missed the speed limit sign, too.

“Rico shrinks in the winter,” said Brandy Randall, owner of the Enterprise Bar and Grill.

Slowing down through town, though, begins to reveal things otherwise missed. Rico’s modern treasures take some digging, as much as its minerals did back in the day, but are well worth dedicating an entire weekend to.

The astute weekend warrior immediately recognizes the most obvious treasures: a town surrounded by mountains accessible from a well-maintained winter highway, and beautiful river valley slicing through the middle of it all. The Rico mountains are their own geologic feature, with more than a dozen summits over 12,000 feet packed into 75 square miles and joined at the hip with the San Juan Mountains and the Wilson Range.

RICO IS RAD! Driving the speed limit through town often affords a whiff

Rico is a laid-back mountain town, but don’t let that fool you of the scrumptious barbecue in the smoker out front usually into passing through. Diving in for a weekend quickly reveals why surrounded by hungry patrons. the unofficial slogan is well-earned: “Rico is Rad!” The town hosts The Enterprise often adds to winter weekend fun by a 5-mile network of winter trails around town that the Rico Trails showing ski flicks, hosting avalanche awareness classes and Alliance (RTA) calls “decidedly casual.” But the town and the RTA providing creative promotions — such as two for one shots are anything but casual, even if they have a laid-back attitude. of Chairlift Warmer while it’s snowing and $1 shots when the

RTA works fervently to develop and promote non-motorized snowplow drives past. Between the beer garden, a popular back trails in and around Rico from donations only. The group has deck overlooking the river valley backdropped by snow-covered accomplished impressive objectives in the three years since they mountains and some interior rearranging, the Enterprise is were established. They recently amply suited to accommodate s acquired an easement to extend ocial distancing for the winter. the town trail system through Brandy and her staff give the place private property, and have worked an easy vibe and you can speak to extensively with the Forest Service Brandy about the possibility and the Historic District to extend of hosting private events. it another three miles down the Fret not about lodging. The river. The town employs a Nordic Enterprise has several rooms upstairs and skate ski groomer for the that can be booked through Airbnb. trails around town, and the RTA The Mine Shaft Inn just across the grooms for fat bikes alongside the street has seven rooms that can be Nordic track for singletrack riding. booked on their website at www.

Together, the town and RTA RicoMineShaftInn.com or by calling usually host a winter carnival the owner, Jordan O’Hara, directly at and fat bike bash celebrating (970) 967-4996. The Mine Shaft Inn winter trail activities and local serves up a hot breakfast and hosts artists of Rico. Bike shops from occasional events. Lodging in Rico Telluride often provide support is in historic buildings with all the with fat bike demos and places charms that once catered to miners like Telluride Brewing showing up and maximized the available space. with libations. The local artists Special considerations to prevent the organize a snow sculpture contest spread of COVID-19 may be in place for all ages that was celebrated for rooms that share bathrooms, so in the past with a slideshow in book early. the Enterprise Bar and Grill, with At the Prospector, Modern audience picks awarded gift American Kitchen, renowned certificates to local businesses. Chef Eamonn O’Hara “creates

There is even an ice-skating rink “Dropping in” in the Rico backcountry. photo by Robert Stump fascinating flavors using regionally in town! cultivated ingredients.” The future

Self-guided snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and of the Prospector is uncertain, but private chef services may still backcountry skiing adventure opportunities are endless with ample be an option. parking right off the highway just north of Rico at Barlow Creek and There are many more treasures hidden within Rico’s mountains. select locations along Highway 145. Although the Rico mountains But naming them here might just spoil the adventure! The miners may not quite boast the elevations of their neighbors, the terrain who established Rico had to dig for their treasure, and little has offers exhilarating opportunities for any skill level, along with changed except what we identify as treasures. With the right significant avalanche danger. Any winter travel in the backcountry amount of adventurous spirit, respect for the locals and respect f should be accompanied by the requisite skills, knowledge, and or the natural resources, those treasures can be enjoyed by all. respect for the potential dangers and how they may be magnified If your winter weekend adventure style seeks to forgo the by the current pandemic. crowds but not the experience, Rico is your place. For a killer winter EAT, DRINK AND STAY Not knowing what the pandemic has in store for the winter,

Adventurers exploring the Rico area will now be able to start please be sure to check out the www.ricotrailsalliance.org website their day with a little extra pep. A new coffee shop – Rico Coffee or their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the 2021 – is slated to open, warming winter bones before or after your Winter Carnival/Fat Bike Ride. next adventure.

Did I mention food and music? The Enterprise Bar and Grill

weekend, Rico is Rad! occupies a historic building (conveniently right next to the ROBERT STUMP is a project manager, outdoor adventurer and liquor store) right in the middle of town that serves as the focal photographer based out of Cortez, Colorado. He enjoys promoting backcountry point of social gathering, even if it is at a distance these days. and outdoor adventure through his photography and professional pursuits that They stay open all winter and you might as well forget the idea supports environmentally and culturally responsible enjoyment of our treasured that outdoor beer gardens are only a thing for summertime. natural resources.